Vinorelbine and 5-fluorouracil bolus and/or continuous venous infusion plus levofolinic acid as second-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer: An analysis of results in clinical practice of the Gruppo Oncologico Italie Meridionale (GOIM)

Background: This retrospective study evaluated the activity and toxicity profile of a regimen of vinorelbine and 5-fluorouracil with levofolinic acid, given to a large series of patients with recurrent or refractory metastatic breast cancer after first-line chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: Overall, 286 evaluable patients were included in the analysis. Two chemotherapy schedules were reviewed: a) the bolus regimen consisted of levofolinic acid 100 mg/m(2) and 5-fluorouracil 375 mg/m(2) both administered i.v. on days 1,2 and 3, plus vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) i.v. bolus on days I and 8 every 3 weeks; b) the infusional regimen of levofolinic acid 100 mg/m(2) given as a 2-hour infusion, followed…