[Vinorelbin in the treatment of breast cancer: current status and prospectives for the future].

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of vinorelbine in breast cancer.

DESIGN

A review of most significant and recent clinical trials was performed.

RESULTS

Vinorelbine as single agent showed 44% and 17.36% of response as 1st and 2nd line treatment, respectively. When combined with other agents, these figures were the following: cisplatin, 73%-75% and 43-64%; mitomycin C, up to 92% and 33%-69%; 5-fluorouracil, 33%-64% and 22%-55%; ifosfamide, 57% and 28%; taxol, 78% and 54%; taxotere, up to 80%; mitoxantrone, 44%-68% and 31%-40%; doxorubicin, 57%-82% and 30%-33%; epirubicin, 22%-78% and 33%. Vinorelbine-epirubicin combination appears to be very active in neoadjuvant setting, with up to 92% response rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Vinorelbine activity is significant and similar to that of the most active antineoplastic drugs in breast cancer. The most promising combinations appear to be with anthracyclines, taxanes or mitomycin C, even in heavily pretreated patients. Some aspects, such as optimal dose and scheduling and the inclusion in adjuvant programs or in new combination regimens remain to be defined.