MITOMYCIN-C AND VINBLASTINE COMBINATION IN SALVAGE THERAPY OF METASTATIC BREAST CANCER

The toxicity and efficacy of mitomycin-C plus vinblastine combination is investigated in previously treated with antracyclin-based regimens in metastatic breast cancer patients. Patients were treated with mitomycin-C 10 mg/m2 on day 1 and vinorelbine 6 mg/m2 on days 1 and 22 every 6 weeks from August 1987 to September 1996. There were 41 patients with median age 46 years (range, 25 to 73), and consist of premenauposal (n=21), postmenopausal (n=17), and perimenopausal (n=3).Thirty-eight patients were assessable for response. Major objective responses were observed in 11 (26.8%) patients, including four (9.7%) complete response and seven (17.1%) partial response. Stable disease were determined in 6 (14.6%) patients. The median duration of response was 11 months (range, 2 to 24 months). Median overall survival was 10 months (range, 3 to 46 months), including 18 months (range, 12 to 28 months) for patients with complete response and 16 months (range, 4 to 38 months) in partial responders. Toxicity was relatively mild and included only three cycles with grade III-IV neutropenia. There were no treatment-related febrile neutropenia. No grade III-IV toxicity of emesis, mucositis, and nephropathy were observed. This combination was moderately effective regimen and well tolerated, with acceptable treatment-related toxicities in metastatic breast cancer.

Keywords: mitomycin-c, vinblastine