Mitoxantrone combined to vincristine, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil in advanced breast cancer.

In our wide experience of treating advanced breast carcinoma with chemotherapy, the combination of doxorubicin (DOX), vincristine (VCR), cyclophosphamide (CPM) and fluorouracil (FU) gave a complete plus partial response rate of over 60%, with 100% alopecia and frequent cardiac toxicity depending on total dose. After the EORTC Clinical Screening Group phase II trial we have conducted an "expected difference method" comparative phase II trial using the combination DOX, VCR, CPM, FU and the combination of MTX (10mg/m2), VCR, CPM and FU on a population of 50 breast carcinoma patients similar to those taking part in the first study. The reasons for similarity of action will be presented and discussed.