FAC (fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide) as second line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer progressing under FEC (fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND

The cross-over resistance between different anthracyclines in breast carcinoma has not been largely evaluated in clinical trials.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nineteen patients with metastatic breast cancer who had failed prior first line FEC chemotherapy (fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 50 mg/m2 cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2, every 4 weeks) were treated with a combination of fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 every 4 weeks (FAC).

RESULTS

Five patients achieved partial responses, ranging in duration from 5 to 8 months. The main toxicity was cardiac, with congestive heart failure documented in five patients.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate an absence of cross resistance of doxorubicin in some epirubicin-resistant patients.