Chemotherapy of metastatic carcinoma of the breast

Thirty-four patients with metastatic breast carcinoma were treated with the following combination: methotrexate 60 mg/m2 i.v. days 1 and 8,5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2 i.v. days 1 and 8, cyclophosphamide 100 mg/m2 daily for 14 days, and prednisolone 25 mg b.d. by mouth daily for 14 days. In 21/34 (62%) patients regression of tumour was maintained for at least three months and in six (18%) this was complete. The median duration of response was 15 months (range 6--33) and there was a significant difference in survival between responders and non-responders (P<0.01). Toxicity was acceptable although dose reduction was necessary in eight patients and in three patients treatment had to be discontinued.