Adriamycin therapy by continuous intravenous infusion in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Patients with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with non-Adriamycin containing chemotherapy were treated with Adriamycin at a dose of 60 mg/m2 administered as a continuous infusion through a central venous catheter. The duration of Adriamycin infusion was escalated by 100% increments from 24-96 hours, but the majority of patients were maintained on 96-hour infusions. Thirteen of 27 patients achieved objective response (1 CR, 12 PR), six improved, and eight failed to respond to Adriamycin. Administration of Adriamycin by infusion led to a decrease in the severity of nausea and vomiting, but had no effect on myelosuppression and alopecia secondary to Adriamycin. The cardiac toxicity of Adriamycin was reduced in patients who received maintenance therapy with 96-hour infusions of Adriamycin.