[Polychemotherapy of advanced breast cancer. Triple combination with doxorubicin. Analysis of 209 observation].

Two hundred and nine patients with breast cancer in an advanced stage were treated according to a chemotherapeutic regimen associating doxorubicin, vincristine and methotrexate, administered in courses of 5 days every three weeks. This analysis deals only with the short range results; they confirm those of a previous randomized study. A global objective response was obtained in 187 cases (89%) and a measurable regression of the lesions in 150 cases (71%); in these later cases 90 (43%) had a regression of more than 50 per cent. The most striking effects, often rapidly observed, involve sites which are not generally sensitive: liver (40%), pleura (24%) and bone (only 6%, but 8 times out of 10 a definite action on the pain syndrome). Side effects were, on the whole, acceptable (only one severe hematologic complication); however, the risk of myocardiac toxocity due to the accumulation of doxorubicin limits the utilization of this association. It thus needs to be relayed by other drug regimens which are included in a program of long term action, but has interesting characteristics as induction chemotherapy.