A phase II trial of mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil as second-line therapy in advanced breast cancer

Fifty-five patients who had relapsed or progressed from chemotherapy for advanced disease were treated with mitomycin C and 5-FU on a 6 weekly regimen. After a median of 2 cycles of therapy the overall response rate was 12% with no complete responses. Significant leucopenia but no thrombocytopenia was seen and despite the low overall response rate the regimen was tolerable and did produce responses in patients primarily resistant to Adriamycin combination chemotherapy. Low overall activity indicates the need for more effective second line treatment.