A phase II study of oral weekly 4-demethoxydaunorubicin in advanced breast cancer

Thirty-eight patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with oral 4-demethoxydaunorubicin in a continuous weekly schedule at a dose of 15 mg/m2/week. Subjective toxicity consisted of mild nausea (grade 1) in 52% with more severe GI side effects (grade 2) in 15%. Three patients developed grade 1 alopecia and there were no episodes of cardiac failure. Significant neutropenia (grade 2/3) only occurred in patients with marrow involvement or widespread bone disease. There was one CR and 5 PRs, an overall response rate of 15.7% (95% confidence limits 6-31%). In addition 6 patients had disease stabilization for at least 6 months. Fourteen patients progressing on 4-demethoxydaunorubicin have received adriamycin 60 mg/m2 21 days. There have been 5 PRs in this group indicating possible non-cross-resistance between these two agents.