[Navelbine as a single agent to treat advanced breast cancers]

From March 1994 to March 1995, 14 cases of refractory advanced breast cancers were treated with Navelbine (NVB). NVB as a single agent was given weekly 40-60mg (24.9mg-33.3 mg/m2), every 2 weeks for one cycle. Six of fourteen cases (42.9%) achieved partial response (PR). The median remission duration of PR patients was 5 months (range 2-10 months). NVB was given 85 times, the main side effects were myalgia and arthralgia (80.0%), phlebitis (57.6%). Sixty-five of eighty five pretreatment WBC counts were below 4.0 x 10(9)/L, and the severity of leukopenia was related to pretreatment WBC level. No patient died of infection.