High-dose cyclophosphamide and high-dose 5-fluorouracil. A new first-line regimen for advanced breast cancer

Development, evaluation and biodistribution of stealth liposomes of 5-fluorouracil for effective treatment of breast cancer

The current research was undertaken to design stealth liposomes of 5-Fluorouracil for reducing its cardiotoxicity and prolong the half-life by developing long-circulating liposomes. The liposomes were prepared by the NH₄EDTA gradient method, where EDTA is used as a cardioprotectant. Ascorbyl-6-palmitate was also used which helped for the synergistic effect of 5-Fluorouracil to counteract the cancer cells and provide promising application in the treatment of breast cancer cells. Taguchi design was used for screening of formulation and HSPC phospholipid was selected. The drug-excipient compatibility was checked through FTIR which showed all the excipients were compatible with the drug. The formulation was optimized by using 3² factorial design. The drug to lipid ratio (1:5) and Ascorbyl-6-Palmitate concentration (15 mg) were selected. The vesicle size of the prepared liposomes was found to be 70.12 ± 0.58 nm and uniform distribution was observed. The zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of the stealth liposomes were found -16.28 mV and 92 ± 0.007% respectively. In-vitro drug release study of formulation showed drug release of 63.50 ± 0.94% in 24 hrs. The formulation was sterilized by 0.22 µm Mixed cellulose esters (MCE) membrane filter and passed sterility test. Moreover, a biodistribution study was performed by Fluorescence microscopy and by HPLC method, which showed formulation was circulated for 24 hours. Finally, a cell line study indicated that prepared formulation possess greater anti-tumour activity. The cardiotoxicity study revealed that the stealth liposomes have minimum cardiotoxicity as compare to the plain drug.

Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin and Platinum (CAP) Combination Chemotherapy, A New Effective Approach in the Treatment of Disseminated Breast Cancer. Preliminary Report

The prospective controlled Phase III clinical trial tested the therapeutic value of the cis-platinum-adriamycin-cyclophosphamide combination (CAP), compared with the combination including cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine and prednisolone (CMFVP), in untreated metastatic breast cancer. One hundred and twenty-three patients (> 2 cycles) were evaluated: 61 on the CAP, and 62 on the CMFVP schedule. An objective response (CR+PR) to CAP combination chemotherapy was achieved in 72% of patients (43/61), with a high rate (36%) of complete remissions. In terms of metastatic site, the response rate appeared to be particularly high in soft tissue and visceral organ (lung, liver) metastases. In the CMFVP group, an objective response was noted in 26 of 62 patients (42%), with 16% complete remissions. The difference in overall therapeutic response - and in the complete remission rate as well - was statistically significant to the advantage of the CAP regimen (P < 0.01). The duration of remissions was 6-28 + months (mean = 14) for the CAP, and 4-15+ months (mean = 9) for the CMFVP schedule. Toxic side effects were more pronounced in the CAP group, particularly myelosuppression, with anemia prevailing. Side effects to CMFVP treatment were moderate. In 39 CMFVP previously treated cases, CAP was administered as second-line treatment, and an objective response was observed in 51% of cases (20/39). Results of this controlled trial showed the advantage of the CAP combination chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Evaluation, prognosis, and medical treatment considerations of metastatic bone tumors

Metastatic cancer can cause severe pain and disability. Metastases can occur in any bone, but usually are located in the axial or proximal appendicular skeleton. The most frequently encountered primary tumors that spread to bone are those of the prostate, breast, kidney, lung, and thyroid. When the origin of the primary cancer is known, skeletal metastases are more often from breast or prostate. When the primary site is unknown, the lung and kidney should be suspected as sites of origin. The nonoperative management of skeletal metastases from multiple myeloma and from carcinomas of the prostate, breast, kidney, lung, and thyroid are discussed.

Dose-intensive treatment of breast cancer supported by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)

Substantial intensification of chemotherapy doses is a promising approach to the treatment of refractory malignancy currently receiving increasing attention. For the past 4 years we have used 3 repeated cycles of a combination of cyclophosphamide (5 g/m2), etoposide (1500 mg/m2), and cisplatin (150 mg/m2) without replacement of progenitor cells and with and without colony-stimulating factor support. The duration of threatening levels of granulocytopenia with this regimen averages 10.2 days, although an occasional patient has prolonged recovery (range, 5-20 days) and most patients require antibiotic therapy for cytopenic fever. We have not yet identified the optimal dose of GM-CSF, but 500 micrograms/m2 significantly shortens the duration of cytopenia (ANC less than 300/mm3) to 5.9 days with a resultant decrease in incidence and duration of cytopenic fever (from 10.8 to 1.7 days), use of antibiotics (from 10.8 to 7.6 days), and duration of hospitalization (from 22.2 to 16.3 days). Seventeen patients with metastatic breast cancer have received this regimen to date with a 35% complete response (CR) rate and a 53% partial response (PR) rate. Most of these patients were refractory to standard therapy. Four of six (67%) not refractory to standard therapy have achieved complete responses that are ongoing at 3.5 to 10.4 months. We conclude that dose-intensive therapy is an option that needs more careful exploration early in the treatment of advanced breast cancer and that GM-CSF decreases morbidity and risk of dose-intensive regimens.

Combination of 5-fluorouracil and cyclophosphamide in L1210 and P388 leukemias with changes in optimum treatments as a function of the age of the L1210 tumor at first treatment

The interaction of 5-fluorouracil and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of L1210 and P388 leukemias was studied using response surface methodology. Single dose treatment of each drug was administered simultaneously or with a 24-hr interval between 5-fluorouracil and cyclophosphamide to the advanced tumors or at various times after L1210 inoculation. While at low doses the action of the combination of the two drugs was greater than expected, there was no therapeutic synergism if the drugs were given together (optimum doses cyclophosphamide 366 mg/kg and 364 mg/kg, respectively, in advanced L1210 and P388 leukemias) or in the early tumor when cyclophosphamide was given 24 hours after 5-fluorouracil. In the advanced tumor, using the regimen employing a 24-hr interval between drugs, therapeutic synergism could be demonstrated (optimum doses 5-fluorouracil 130 mg/kg followed by cyclophosphamide 248 mg/kg in advanced L1210 leukemia and 5-fluorouracil 110 mg/kg followed by cyclophosphamide 263 mg/kg in advanced P388 leukemia). The evidence generated suggested that improved therapy could be found in two separate regions of the treatment space, raising the possibility of more than one mechanism of drug interaction. The location of the optimal treatment depended on the tumor burden at the time treatment was initiated. A shift from one region to the other occurred after 4-6 days of tumor growth when the original inoculum was 10(5) i.p. L1210 cells. Another more obvious conclusion that can be drawn is that treatment was less effective as the tumor became more advanced. The notion that different tumor stages may require different ratios of drugs in a clinically useful combination should receive attention.

Two years of high-dose cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil followed by surgery after 3 months for acute inflammatory breast carcinomas. A phase II study of 25 cases with a median follow-up of 35 months

Twenty-five consecutive cases of inflammatory breast carcinoma were treated with high-dose cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil in 5-day courses every 3 weeks for 2 years, with total mastectomy performed after the third course. The toxicity was high but acceptable in 24 of the patients, provided the doses were decreased. Tumor was found at surgery in all 24 patients, and the lymph nodes were involved in 19 of 24 cases. The median follow-up was 35 months (range, 16-76 months). Thirteen relapses were observed, three of which were exclusively locoregional. The median disease-free survival was 46 months. The expected median survival is greater than 6 years. Six patients were treated with radiotherapy for regional recurrences. The good results obtained with this severe form of the disease confirm: that chemotherapy is highly effective in primary tumors and that initial radiotherapy is not necessary in the management of this disease.