A phase 2 trial of whole-brain radiotherapy combined with intravenous chemotherapy in patients with brain metastases from breast cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND. A study was conducted to determine the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of concurrent cisplatin and vinorelbine chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with previously untreated brain metastases from breast cancer. METHODS. Twenty-five patients with untreated brain metastases from breast cancer were treated with cisplatin (at a dose of 20 mg/m2/day, Days 1-5) and vinorelbine (6-mg/m2 bolus on Day 1 and 6 mg/m2/day continuous infusion on Days 1-5) chemotherapy combined with concurrent 30-gray fractionated external-beam radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was given at 3-week intervals for a total of 4 cycles. Primary endpoint was the rate of radiologic response of brain metastases. RESULTS. Complete response in the brain was observed in 3 patients, and partial response was noted in 16 patients, yielding a 76% response rate in the brain. The overall systemic response rate was 44%. Progression-free and overall survival were 3.7 months and 6.5 months, respectively. Overall toxicity was acceptable; nonhematologic grade 3-4 events were noted in 5 (20%) patients, and there were no toxic deaths. CONCLUSIONS. Concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin and vinorelbine for brain metastases from breast cancer appears to be active and well tolerated. © 2008 American Cancer Society.