[Systemic chemotherapy of mammary carcinoma: plasma and tissue concentrations of 5-fluorouracil and adriamycin, and result of CAF and CMF therapy of breast cancer].

Plasma and tissue concentrations of 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) were determined with bioassay method in 8 primary breast cancers. After oral administration of 200 mg/M2 of 5-FU. peak plasma concentration was detected fifteen minutes after administration. Concentration of 5-FU in normal breast tissue was only detected in one case out of seven: the concentration was 0.080 microgram/g. However, concentration of 5-FU in breast cancer tissue was detected in three cases out of seven, ranged from 0.041 microgram/g to 1.300 microgram/g. On the other hand, plasma and tissue concentrations of adriamycin (ADR) were determined with fluorometric assay in 6 primary breast cancers. 6-20 mg/m2 of ADR was administered intravenously. Plasma concentrations of ADR ranged from 0.74 microgram/ml to 0.13 microgram/ml, and ADR disappeared within one hour after injection. ADR was detected in all cases of normal breast tissues and of breast cancer tissues. The concentrations were 0.67 +/- 0.36 microgram/g (average +/- SD) in normal breast tissue, and 1.26 +/- 0.26 microgram/g in breast cancer tissue. Twenty-eight patients with recurrent breast cancers were treated with a combination chemotherapy consisting of 5-FU (200 mg/m2/day P 0 days 1-28), ADR (27 mg/m2 IV day 1, 8), and Cyclophosphamide (67 mg/m2/day P 0 days 1-28). Response was assessed to the U.I.C.C. criteria. The response rate was 39% (PR: 39%, CR: 0%), and duration of response was 11 +/- 8 months (average +/- SD). Metastasis to lung, liver and brain responded very well to CAF therapy. On the other hand, fifteen patients with recurrent breast cancer were treated with a combination chemotherapy consisting of 5-FU (200 mg/m2/day P 0 days 1-28), cyclophosphamide (67 mg/m2/day P 0 days 1-28) and ADR (27 mg/m2 IV day 1, 8). Response rate was 33% (PR: 33%, CR: 0%). These results indicate that anticancer agents with high tissue concentration have higher antitumor activities.