Mitoxantrone, methotrexate and chlorambucil in metastatic breast cancer, a combination with relatively low subjective toxicity.

Thirty-three patients with metastatic breast cancer received 135 cycles of chemotherapy consisting of mitoxantrone, methotrexate and chlorambucil. Forty-eight per cent of the patients achieved a partial response, and the median response duration was 8 months. Patchy alopecia was seen in 10 patients, but only 2 required a wig. In approximately half of the cycles, there were no complaints of nausea or vomiting. Nausea only was recorded in 27% of the cycles; nausea and vomiting in 26%. This combination regimen is active with a low degree of subjective toxicity.