Vincristine by continuous infusion in refractory breast cancer: a phase II study

Eighteen patients with advanced refractory breast carcinoma were treated with vincristine (VCR), 0.5 mg I.V. bolus followed by continuous I.V. infusions of 0.25 mg/m2/day for 5 days every 3 weeks. The daily dose of VCR was infused in 1000 ml D5W to which was added hydrocortisone 50 mg and heparin 3000 U. Patients received from one to six courses (mean 2.3 courses). No objective responses were observed. Stable disease was noted in five patients who had skeletal metastases only. Disease progression occurred in the remaining 13 patients, 10 of whom had received prior VCR by bolus injection. The principal toxicity consisted of constipation without ileus and hyporeflexia-paresthesias. Vincristine, administered by continuous I.V. infusion according to this dose and schedule does not appear to be effective in the treatment of patients with advanced refractory breast cancer.