[Phase II study of mitoxantrone in advanced breast cancer]

A phase II study of mitoxantrone in cases of advanced breast cancer was conducted by a cooperative study group involving 7 institutions. Mitoxantrone was administered at doses of 10-12 mg/m2 at 3-4-week intervals. A total of 36 patients were entered and 31 were evaluable. There were 4 CRs (13%) and 3 PRs (10%) with an overall response rate of 23% and the durations of responses were between 6 and 25 weeks. Leukopenia was a dose-limiting effect of toxicity and occurred in all patients, while gastrointestinal toxicity and alopecia were mild.