Abstract:
Objectives: The effectiveness of cisplatinum and vinorelbine (PVn) as a salvage regimen in patients with metastatic breast cancer was reported in previous studies. This report is a pilot study assessing the antitumor efficacy and safety of this regimen as first line therapy for advanced breast cancer patients. Methods: Thirty-five patients were enrolled: 22 with metastatic breast carcinoma and 13 with locally advanced breast carcinoma (stage III). A total of 4 cycles of PVn were planned. After the 4th cycle, patients with metastatic breast cancer received vinorelbine biweekly until disease progression or for a total of 12 cycles, whereas those with locally advanced breast cancer who showed complete or partial response underwent curative surgery. Results: The overall response rate of our whole population was 74.29percent. For the metastatic breast cancer group, the overall response rate was 64percent, with a median survival of 19 months (range 2-36). For the locally advanced breast cancer group, the overall response rate was 92.3percent with a median time to disease progression of 26 months (range 25-27). Toxicity was acceptable, and no treatment-related mortality was encountered. Conclusions: PVn is effective as first line treatment of advanced breast cancer with overall response rate of 64percent in metastatic breast cancer and 92.3percent in locally advanced breast cancer, and acceptable toxicity. Copyright © 2005 by Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.