Vinorelbine and mitomycin C in anthracycline-pretreated patients with advanced breast cancer

At present, there is no satisfactory treatment for advanced breast cancer patients who have become refractory to anthracyclines. Vinca alkaloids and mitomycin C (MMC) are among the drugs most frequently used in this setting. Recently, vinorelbine (VNR) has been reported to be highly active in advanced breast cancer. Sixty advanced breast cancer patients previously treated with anthracyclines have been exposed to VNR 25 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1 and 8, and MMC 10 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1, with cycles repeated every 4 weeks. There were 3 complete and 21 partial responses for an overall response rate of 40% (CI 95%: 28-52%). Median duration of response and median survival were 7 and 10 months, respectively. Myelosuppression was the dose-limiting toxicity, but it was generally mild to moderate. Although this combination appears to be effective and well tolerated, every effort should be made to further improve treatment results in anthracycline-pretreated advanced breast cancer.