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An effective low‐dose intermittent cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5‐fluorouracil treatment regimen for metastatic breast cancer
Author(s) -
Creech Richard H.,
Catalano Robert B.,
Mastrangelo Michael J.,
Engstrom Paul F.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197504)35:4<1101::aid-cncr2820350413>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - medicine , cyclophosphamide , regimen , methotrexate , chemotherapy , gastroenterology , breast cancer , toxicity , fluorouracil , metastatic breast cancer , surgery , dose , lymph node , urology , cancer
A low‐dose, three‐drug regimen, C.M.F. (cyclophosphamide 50 mg, p.o., days 1–14; methotrexate, 25 mg, and 5‐fluorouracil, 500 mg, i.v., days 1 and 8; cycled every 28 days) was used in 46 consecutive chemotherapy‐eligible women (41 previously hormonally treated) with recurrent breast cancer. Thirteen percent of the patients had complete regressions (C.R.); 33% had partial regressions (P.R.); 26% stabilized; and 28% progressed. In evaluating response by sites of metastases, lymph nodes (30%), lung nodules (22%), and subcutaneous deposits (2/3) had the highest incidence of C.R.; 46–71% of patients with lymph node, lung, subcutaneous, liver, breast, or peritoneal disease showed C.R. or P.R. Skin and pleural disease responded in 30% of patients whereas no patients had radiographic healing of bony metastases. The toxicity was minimal: 7% gastrointestinal, 26% marrow‐suppressive, and 7% infectious. This low‐dose C.M.F. regimen resulted in regression rates similar to higher dose C.M.F. protocols, which use approximately twice these drug dosages with commensurate toxicity.