Cisplatin and etoposide in chemotherapy-refractory advanced breast cancer

Fourteen evaluable advanced breast cancer patients, extensively pretreated by chemotherapy, received a combination of cisplatin (DDP) and etoposide (VP 16). DDP was given at 60 or 100 mg/m2 on day 1, and VP 16 at 120 mg/m2 on days 1, 2 and 3; cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. Major responses were never obtained; a minor response in 1 patient, no change in 7 patients, and progression in 6 patients were observed. Main side effects were nausea and vomiting (62% severe), and leukopenia (31% leukocytes less than 2,000/mm3). Two patients refused further treatment due to intense nausea and vomiting. DDP-VP 16 combination chemotherapy is ineffective and poorly tolerated in heavily pretreated breast cancer patients.