Quimioterapia metronómica con ciclofosfamida y metotrexato en pacientes con cáncer de mama metastásico en progresión

introduction: continuous use of low doses of cytotoxic agents during lengthy periods has shown to be an alternative to treat metastatic breast cancer (mbc), an opening in face of a resistance of known and beneficial drugs in quality of life. methods: from april, 2002 and december, 2005, a total of 28 patients was assessed with a progressing mbc, eastern cooperative oncology group (ecog)= 2, previously treated with, or at least, a chemotherapy line for metastatic disease, and the respective informed consent from patients. we administered: 2.5 mg/b.i.d. of oral methrotexate during two days, and 50 mg/quotid of cyclophosphamide during 5 days weekly. we analyzed survival rate by kaplan-meier method. results: we found a mean age of 56 years (36-74), and 13 patients with more than a metastatic site. there was an objective response (rc + rp) in 14 patients, ee en 8, and progression in 6. average time to obtain a response was of 2.8 months (ci 1.9-3.5), and average length response (in respondents), 7.9 months (ic 3.7-16.2). the metastatic sites with a higher response rate were: skin/soft parts, and liver, and the more observed ones were: anemia and 2-degree leukopenia in 11 patients, 3 degree hepatic toxicity in one patient, and 5 degree in 5 of them; 3 degree nausea in 3 patients, and 2 degree en 6 of them. conclusions: metronome-chemotherapy is a very useful therapeutical option in mbc by its benefits, advantages of oral pathway, a scarce toxicity and a low cost.