Combination of vinorelbine + doxorubicin in advanced breast cancer.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a vinorelbine+doxorubicin combination in terms of response rate and time to progression in patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Vinorelbine (25mg/m 2 ) and doxorubicin (25mg/m 2 ) were administered intravenously in a rapid injection on days 1 and 8 every 21 days. Initially, 3 courses of vinorelbine+doxorubicin were given. Patients with responding or stable disease received 6 more courses to a maximum of 9 courses. Result: Twenty-nine patients were entered into the study and 27 eligible patients were considered evaluable for response. Median age was 45 years (range 33 to 63). Overall response rate was 66.67% (18/27) (CR= 5, PR=13). Median time to progression was 7.8 months (range 4 to 16) and the median survival time was 25.9 months. Median follow-up time was 8.5 months (range 1.5 to 25). Toxicity was generally moderate. Hematologic complication was the dose limiting toxicity. WHO gradeIII/IV neutropenia was observed in 18.5% /3.7% of patients. The major non-hematologic toxicities were nausea and phlebitis. Grade III nausea/vomiting was observed in 7.4% and grade III/IV phlebitis in 3.7%/3.7% of patients. No toxic deaths were observed. Conclusion: The present vinorelbine+doxorubicin combination was highly effective and generally well tolerated in cases of advanced breast cancer. Further studies are required.