Pilot study of continuous low-dose 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (FP regimen) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer

• Published in: International journal of clinical oncology Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 18 - 21
• Main Authors: Yamada, Y, Aiba, K, Horikosi, N, Hanai, M, Uno, S, Osawa, H, Mizunuma, N, Takahashi, S, Ito, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Springer Nature B.V 01.02.2000
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Chemotherapy; Confidence intervals; Metastasis
• ISSN: 1341-9625; 1437-7772
• DOI: 10.1007/s101470050004

Background. The effect of low-dose 5-fluorouracil (FU) and cisplatin therapy (FP regimen) against metastatic breast cancer was investigated. Methods. A pilot study of the FP regimen was performed in 11 patients with metastatic breast carcinoma who had previously received chemotherapy, including adriamycin, and/or hormonal therapy. Their median age was 56 years (range, 48-72 years). Visceral metastases were present in all patients. FU, at a dose of 170 mg/m(2) per day, was administered for 28 days by continuous intravenous infusion. Cisplatin (7 mg/m(2) per day) was given intravenously on days 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, and 22-26. After a 2-week interval, this treatment was repeated. Results. Of the 11 patients assessable for tumor response to the FP regimen, 4 patients (36%; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 8%-64%) achieved an objective response, with 1 showing a complete response and 3 showing a partial response. Median time to progression was 6.5 months (range, 4-25 months). The median survival time from the initiation of the FP regimen was 11 months (range, 3-25 months). Gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity was mild. Conclusion. The FP regimen is promising for and has acceptable tolerance in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma refractory to previous anthracycline-containing chemotherapy.