[Intensive chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer].

PURPOSE: Phase II study with intensive chemotherapy and autologous stem cells support in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

METHODS

Forty-nine patients were treated with high-doses of two cytotoxic drugs and support with stem cells obtained from several leukapheresis without movilitation. The cells were reinfused forty-eight hours after finishing the administration of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (47%, CI-95%: 32.4-63.3%) achieved a complete remission. The objective responses rate was 73% (CI-95%: 57.2-85%). Overall and progression-free survival up to 4 years were 31% and 20%, respectively. Ten patients remain progression-free among 17 and 46 months. The most frequent extramedullary toxicity was hepatic and renal. Three patients (6%) died during the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Intensive chemotherapy with hematopoietic support yields, with a moderate toxicity, a high objective response and complete remission rate. A small group of patients achieves a long progression-free survival.