Dibromodulcitol, mitomycin C and vinblastine (DMV) chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer

A combination of dibromodulcitol 500 mg orally, mitomycin C 10 mg i.v. and vinblastine 10 mg i.v. all given on day 1 and repeated every 4 weeks was given to 40 patients with advanced breast cancer. All but one had received previous endocrine therapy. The response rate (CR + PR) in 24 previously untreated patients was 66% and was 37% in 16 previously treated patients. The survival of responders was significantly longer than non-responders. Thirty-two per cent of patients experienced nausea and vomiting. There was little myelosuppression or thrombocytopenia on the day of starting a new course of therapy but the haemoglobin dropped by 2 g/dl in 32% of patients during therapy. Thus DMV is a relatively non-toxic active regimen for patients with advanced breast cancer.