Low-dose continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil. Evaluation in advanced breast carcinoma

Low-dose continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (LDCI-FU) was administered to 28 women with advanced breast carcinoma. Daily doses ranged from 175 to 250 mg/m2. The LDCI-FU was delivered continuously until the appearance of toxicity and was reinstituted at a 20% dose reduction after toxicity completely resolved. Patients with a median age of 56 years and a median performance status of 60% (Karnofsky) had been previously treated with combination chemotherapy. Complete responses were observed in two patients with soft tissue metastases. Thirteen patients experienced partial responses with a median duration of response of 4+ months. Partial responses were predominantly observed in soft tissue disease; however, five patients with visceral metastases experienced partial tumor regression. Median survival for the study group was 4+ months. Hormonal receptor status did not predict response to LDCI-FU. Toxicities included stomatitis, ten patients; hand-foot syndrome, eight patients; mild leukopenia, two patients; moderate thrombocytopenia, two patients; diarrhea, three patients; ataxia, three patients. Catheter-related toxicities of sepsis and/or thrombosis occurred in six patients. Because of the demonstrated activity in previously treated patients (53% response rate), LDCI-FU should be investigated in combination chemotherapy regimens in untreated breast cancer patients.