Dihydroxyanthracenedione: A Promising New Drug in the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract

Thirty-one patients who had metastatic breast cancer extensively pretreated with combination chemotherapy, including doxorubicin, were treated with dihydroxyanthracenedione, 3-4 mg/m2 body surface area daily for 5 consecutive days every 4 wk. Of 27 evaluable patients, 1 achieved a complete response and 5 had partial responses. Responses were seen in patients who were refractory to doxorubicin, indicating a lack of cross-resistance between doxorubicin and dihydroxyanthracenedione. Acute drug toxicity was insignificant except for severe granulocytopenia at the dose level of 4 mg/m2 per day. The median duration of remission had not been reached, but was more than 26 wk, with 4 of the 6 responding patients still in remission at last follow-up. Dihydroxyanthracenedione probably has significant activity against refractory metastatic breast cancer; further evaluation is warranted.