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Long-term survival following relapse after 5-FU but not CMF adjuvant breast cancer therapy

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Abstract

Beginning in 1974, patients with ≥4 nodes positive following mastectomy were randomized to receive either 5-FU i.v. weekly or CMF i.v. every 2 weeks, both given for 12 months. Median follow-up now exceeds 112 months with nine year results below:

Early results based on relapse-free survival favored CMF, but more patients currently are alive on the 5-FU arm. As the survival curves cross at 40 months, the 20% survival advantage for 5-FU did not achieve statistical significance. For 34% of patients failing adjuvant 5-FU, use of combination chemotherapy after relapse (commonly with CMFVP or CMF) resulted in long term survival. In contrast, long-term survival for patients failing adjuvant CMF was unusual. Relapse was detected while under weekly observation in a greater proportion of patients on 5-FU (36%) compared to CMF (6%) adjuvant treatment (p<0.05), potentially influencing tumor burden at recurrence. Hormonal therapy or radiation therapy as initial therapy after relapse was ineffective, with no long term survivors resulting on either arm. Weight increase on adjuvant chemotherapy was commonly seen, with weight increase >10 kg associated with a poor prognosis. We conclude that initial improvement in relapse-free survival may not predict long term survival in adjuvant breast cancer trials since both the specific adjuvant therapy given pre-relapse as well as the type of salvage therapy given post-relapse may influence ultimate patient outcome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UCLA School of Medicine, Harbor — UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA

    Rowan T. Chlebowski, John M. Weiner, Ralph Reynolds, James Luce, Linda Bulcavage & Joseph R. Bateman

Authors
  1. Rowan T. Chlebowski
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  2. John M. Weiner
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  3. Ralph Reynolds
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  4. James Luce
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  5. Linda Bulcavage
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  6. Joseph R. Bateman
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A Western Cancer Study Group (WCSG) project.

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Chlebowski, R.T., Weiner, J.M., Reynolds, R. et al. Long-term survival following relapse after 5-FU but not CMF adjuvant breast cancer therapy. Breast Cancer Res Tr 7, 23–30 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01886732

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