Vinorelbine, methotrexate and fluorouracil (VMF) as first-line therapy in metastatic breast cancer: significance of the time between initiation of adjuvant therapy and of therapy for metastatic breast cancer

B. Isik1 and K. Altundag*,2

1 Fatih University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine and 2 Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara, Turkey

*E-mail: drkadri@usa.net

We read with interest the article concerning the results of vinorelbine, methotrexate and fluorouracil (VMF) as first line therapy in metastatic breast cancer in the May, 2003 issue of the Annals of Oncology [1]. The study showed that vinorelbine in divided doses (group 1 and group 2) was better tolerated and more efficacious when given once in 3-week cycles. Although responses were not significantly different between the groups, patients in group 1 and group 2 showed better responses than the patients in group 3. This difference may be explained in at least two ways. One is that a higher percentage of patients in group 3 had received CMF regimen as an adjuvant treatment that may lead to the drug resistance. Secondly, the authors did not give the time between initiation of adjuvant treatment and diagnosis and initiation of treatment for metastatic disease, which may affect the response and tolerability of VMF regimen.

B. Isik1 & K. Altundag2*

1Fatih University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine and 2Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara, Turkey (*E-mail: drkadri@usa.net)

REFERENCES

1. Elomaa I, Joensuu H, Blomqvist C. Vinorelbine, methotrexate and fluorouracil (VMF) as first line therapy in metastatic breast cancer: a randomised phase II trial. Ann Oncol 2003; 14: 699–703.[Abstract/Free Full Text]





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