Combination chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer: two regimens containing adriamycin

Cancer. 1978 Jul;42(1):27-33. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197807)42:1<27::aid-cncr2820420105>3.0.co;2-3.

Abstract

Forty-eight women with advanced metastatic carcinoma of the breast were treated with one of two combination chemotherapy regimens: 1) adriamycin and cyclophosphamide or 2) adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil. The response rate in the two-drug treatment group was 50% and in the four-drug treatment group, 55%. The median duration of response was ten months in both treatment groups. Dramatic responses were seen in patients with visceral metastases. Patients who responded to chemotherapy had a significantly longer survival than nonresponders (p less than 0.01). The long interval between adriamycin doses (six weeks) in the four drug regimen did not adversely effect the response rate--an important finding in view of the dose-related cardiac toxicity of this agent.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bone Marrow / drug effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Digestive System / drug effects
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / drug therapy
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Fluorouracil
  • Methotrexate