Abstract
Background: This study was designed to explore the effectiveness and tolerability of a weekly regimen of epirubicin and vinorelbine plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Patients and methods: Fifty- two patients with previously untreated advanced breast cancer were treated with epirubicin (25 mg/m2/week) and vinorelbine (25 mg/m2/week) with G-CSF support, for 24 consecutive weeks. Results: The median number of courses per patient was 22 (range 10-24). The administered dose intensity was 23 mg/m2 for both epirubicin and vinorelbine. Ten complete responses (19%) and 30 partial responses (58%) were obtained, for an overall response rate of 77%. None of the patients progressed during treatment. The median response duration and time to progression were both 10 months. A total of 1065 courses were assessed for toxicity. Grade 3 neutropenia was the most common toxic manifestation, (39% of patients), without febrile neutropenia or neutropenic sepsis. Two patients had grade 3 cardiac toxicity, which regressed without sequelae. Median survival was 31 months, with a median follow-up of 24 months (range 9-40). Conclusions: Owing to its effectiveness and tolerability, the weekly regimen of epirubicin and vinorelbine plus G-CSF may represent an acceptable alternative for patients with untreated metastatic breast cancer. It could be tested in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant setting.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 937-942 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Annals of Oncology |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1999 |
Keywords
- Breast cancer
- Dose-intensity
- Epirubicin
- G-CSF
- Vinorelbine
- Weekly schedule
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research