Correlation of estrogen receptors and response to chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) in advanced breast cancer.

Thirty-six patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with the regimen of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF). Their response to the combination chemotherapy and their survival were correlated in respect to estrogen-receptor (ER) status. No patient had received any form of hormonal therapy or other chemotherapeutic agents prior to the CMF treatment. Overall response rate, both complete and partial, to chemotherapy was 60% (21/36): 88% in the ER+ group and seven months in the ER--. Median duration of survival was 27 months in ER+ patients and nine months in ER-- patients after initiation of chemotherapy. These data suggest ER+ status has a beneficial effect in the responsiveness of advanced breast cancer to CMF chemotherapy and is prognostic of better survival.