Combination versus sequential single agent chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer: associations with metastatic sites and long-term survival

ABSTRACT Two hundred and twenty-two patients with advanced breast cancer were randomised in two separate trials of similar design to either concomitant combination treatment or sequential

use of the same drugs given as single agents changed only at disease progression. Both trials used cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil and prednisone; the WCSG using

triiodothyronine and the SECSG using vincristine as the remaining agent. A common data base was generated for these trials and combined for analysis. Considering all patients, combination

treatment was associated with a significantly increased response (46 versus 25%, P less than 0.05) but not survival improvement. For the 141 patients without liver involvement, survival was

closely comparable in both treatment arms. Combination therapy did result in significant survival benefit for patients with liver involvement (P less than 0.05). These studies demonstrate:

(1) in the majority of breast cancer patients, sequential single agent therapy can result in survival comparable to combination treatment; and (2) sole consideration of response frequency

does not represent the optimal criterion to compare therapeutic approaches in advanced breast cancer. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription

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CHEMOTHERAPY IN THE TRASTUZUMAB ERA: FINAL LONG-TERM RESULTS OF THE HELLENIC COOPERATIVE ONCOLOGY GROUP PHASE III HE10/05 TRIAL Article 24 May 2022 A CAREFUL REASSESSMENT OF ANTHRACYCLINE

USE IN CURABLE BREAST CANCER Article Open access 08 October 2021 EFFICACY OF ERIBULIN FOR METASTATIC BREAST CANCER BASED ON LOCALIZATION OF SPECIFIC SECONDARY METASTASES: A POST HOC ANALYSIS

Article Open access 08 July 2020 AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Division of Medical Oncology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, 90509 RT Chlebowski Authors * RT

Chlebowski View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * RV Smalley View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google

Scholar * JM Weiner View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * LE Irwin View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed 

Google Scholar * AA Bartolucci View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * JR Bateman View author publications You can also search for this author

inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Chlebowski, R., Smalley, R., Weiner, J. _et al._ Combination _versus_ sequential

single agent chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer: associations with metastatic sites and long-term survival. _Br J Cancer_ 59, 227–230 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1989.46 Download

citation * Issue Date: 01 February 1989 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1989.46 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Get

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