Phase II study of carboplatin and etoposide as a first line regimen in patients with metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND: The data available on the role of carboplatin and etoposidein breast cancer, especially in patients with no or minimalprior therapy are limited. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a phase II study with carboplatin and etoposideas first line treatment in 34 patients with metastatic breastcancer. The treatment regimens was carboplatin 300 mg/m² day1, and etoposide 100 mg/m² days 1, 3 and 5, every four weeks. RESULTS: Of 33 evaluable patients, 2 achieved complete responses (6%)lasting 4 and 5 months, 7 patients (21%) achieved partial responseswith a median duration of 6+ (range 5–8) months, 15 patientshad stable disease, and 9 progressed during treatment. The majortoxicity was myelosuppression. WHO grades 3 or 4 leukocytopeniaor thrombocytopenia were seen in 15 and 10 patients, respectively.One formally ineligible patient with an impaired renal functiondied 14 days after the start of treatment because of a septicaemiain the presence of a grade 4 leukocytopenia. Besides this patientno other patient presented with granulo-cytopenic fever. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the observed response rate of 27% (95% confidenceinterval ll%–43%) we think that carboplatin and etoposidegiven in this dose and schedule has probably no clear advantageover the more commonly used regimens. metastatic breast cancer, chemotherapy, carboplatin, etoposide