Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and BCG vaccine. A follow-up report

JAMA. 1979 Oct 5;242(14):1509-13.

Abstract

Two hundred twenty-two patients with stage II or III breast cancer following regional therapy were treated with a combination of fluorouracil, doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adrimycin), cyclophosphamide, and BCG vaccine. At 54 months of study (median follow-up, 30 months), the estimated proportions remaining disease-free two and three years after surgery were 83%and 78%, respectively, in the chemotherapy group and 64% and 55%, respectively, in 151 historical control patients. Estimated two- and three-year survival rates were 93% and 89%, respectively, in the chemotherapy group and 84% and 58%, respectively, in the control patients. Congestive heart failure has developed in three patients, possibly related to the use of doxorubicin. Adjuvant chemotherapy with these drugs was effective in prolonging the disease-free interval and survival of patients irrespective of menopausal status, degree of nodal involvement, or stage of the disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • BCG Vaccine / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Heart Failure / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BCG Vaccine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Fluorouracil