M-VAC combination in locally advanced, locally recurrent or metastatic breast carcinoma. A phase II study

Background: The M-VAC combination is very effective in bladder carcinoma, as are all four drugs, as single-agent, in advanced breast carcinoma.Patients and methods: M-VAC was given in 27 patients, 4 with locally advanced breast carcinoma, 3 with local recurrence and 20 with distant metastases. The median age was 51 (range 25; 70). Eleven of the 20 patients with metastatic disease has been previously treated with a different chemotherapy.Results: 15 of 26 evaluable patients responded, with 9 (35%) complete remissions and 6 partial responses. The overall response rate (CR plus PR) was 57% (95% confidence interval 38% to 76%). In patients with metastatic disease the median duration of response was 7 months (range 4+; 36+), median time to progression 5 months (range 1; 36+) and median duration of survival 17 months (range 1; 40+).Conclusion: The M-VAC combination is very effective in locally advanced, locally recurrent and metastatic breast carcinoma. Further trials are warranted to evaluate whether the activity of this combination is partially schedule-dependent.