Continuous venous infusion of doxorubicin in advanced sarcomas

Seventeen patients with advanced sarcoma were treated with continuous venous infusion of doxorubicin for a mean of 118 days, achieving total doses up to 1097 mg/m2. Three partial responses and one minor response were obtained. Major toxic effects were stomatitis and hand-foot syndrome. There was a low incidence of leukopenia (18%) and clinical cardiotoxicity (11%). Continuous venous infusion is a safe means of administering doxorubicin, with a response rate similar to that observed with bolus doxorubicin in metastatic sarcoma.