A WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF EPIRUBICIN IN PRETREATED ADVANCED BREAST-CANCER

Aims: Epirubicin is an analogue of doxorubicin with a similar activity but less toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of a weekly schedule of epirubicin. Methods: Fifty-three patients with metastatic breast cancer, pretreated and/or with a low performance status, were treated with 25 mg/m2/week of the drug. Results: Of the 49 evaluable patients, 3 achieved a complete response (6.1 %) and 21 a partial response (42.8 %) with a median duration of 6.3 months. Median survival was significantly higher in responders than in nonresponders: 15.2 vs 6.0 months (P < 0.005). Furthermore, a marked improvement in performance status was observed (ECOG scale). No cardiologic toxicity was observed, and gastrointestinal toxicity was low. Conclusions. Epirubicin administered weekly represent a valid alternative to conventional treatments.