Infusional ECarboF in patients with advanced breast cancer: A very active and well-tolerated out-patient regimen

We performed a trial using the combination of epirubicin 50 mg/m(2)/day 1, carboplatinum AUC 5/day 1 and continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 200 mg/m(2)/ day (every 4 weeks for 6 months) to confirm the efficacy and low toxicity p rofile of this regimen in breast cancer. In 51 patients with metastatic (n = 33) or locally advanced (n = 18) breast cancer the overall response rate was 86% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 73%-94%): 94% in locally advance d and 81% metastatic disease. Grade 3-4 toxicity was low: 4% of patients pr esented with febrile neutropenia, 16% with severe palmar-plantar syndrome, 10% with Port-a-cath thrombosis. This study confirms the high efficacy of infusional 5-FU-based regimens and justifies further research into novel promising oral 5-FU derivatives.