Original article: Randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast cancer comparing i.v. CMF to an epirubicin-containing regimen

Abstract

Summary: From January 1985 to December 1987, 228 women with breast cancer smaller than 3 cm were treated by surgery ± radiotherapy. All of them had axillary node involvement (N+) and/or lacked estrogen and progesterone steroid receptors (EPR-). They were randomized in an adjuvant chemotherapy trial comparing 9 intravenous CMF courses (cyclophosphamide, methotreaxate, 5FU) -113 patients - to a polychemotherapy consisting of 3 courses of MTV (mitomycin C, thiotepa, vindesine) plus 3 courses of EVM (epirubicin, vincristine, methotrexate) - 115 patients. Prognostic factors were well balanced between the two treatments groups. With a 59-month median follow-up, local breast relapses are more frequent in the CMF group, but regional and metastatic recurrences are the same in the two groups. Overall survival is identical. Toxicity is different: alopecia and neurotoxocity are more frequent in the MTV + EVM group, but general and digestive toxicities are equivalent. Haematologic toxicity is greater in the CMF group, requiring more frequent dosage reductions. © 1992 Kluwer Academic Publishers.