Patients: The subjects were 65 stage IV or relapsed breast cancer patients who received vinorelbine monotherapy or combination therapy at Fukushima Medical University between May 2002 and November 2006.
Method: Chemotherapy was divided into the following 3 groups Vinorelbine monotherapy (group A), Trastuzumab combination therapy (group B), MMVC (mitomycin C, methotrexate, vinorelbine and cyclophosphamide) therapy(group C).
Results: There were 33 patients in group A, 15 patients in group B, and 17 patients in group C. The percentage of patients who had received more than 3 prior chemotherapy regimens were 69. 7% in group A, 66. 7% in group B, and 82. 4% in group C. No complete responses were observed. Partial responses was observed 6 patients in group A, 5 patients in group B, and 2 patients in group C. Overall response rate was 18. 2% in group A, 33. 3% in group B, and 11. 8% in group C. Clinical benefit rate was 24. 2% in group A, 46. 7% in group B, and 23. 5% in group C. The median overall survival time was 267, 522, and 275 days in group A, B, and C respectively.
Discussion: Vinorelbine-based chemotherapy was considered as a new treatment option for patients with metastatic or relapsed breast cancer. It is necessary to examine the use at the early stage or more to obtain a high response rate and duration of response.