Mitomycin C, vinblastine and cisplatin (MVP): an active and well-tolerated salvage regimen for advanced breast cancer

This phase II study assessed the clinical efficacy and tolerability of a combination of mitomycin C, vinblastine and cisplatin in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with chemotherapy. A total of 87 patients with MBC, most of whom had been exposed to anthracyclines (92%) and/or taxanes (29%) in the adjuvant and/or metastatic setting, were treated with mitomycin C (8 mg m−2 day 1 cycles 1, 2, 4 and 6), vinblastine (6 mg m−2 day 1) and cisplatin (50 mg m−2 day 1) repeated each 21 days for a maximum of six cycles. The overall response rate (ORR) was 32% (95% CI: 22–42%) with 31% partial response (PR) and one complete response (CR). Stable disease (SD) rate was 21% (95% CI: 12–29%). There was no statistically significant difference in the ORR when MVP was given as the first-line treatment for MBC vs second or subsequent line (38 vs 30%, P=0.6), or between patients with an early (<6 months) vs late (>6 months) relapse post-anthracyclines (30 vs 52%, P=0.3). Toxicity profile was mild. This platinum-based chemotherapy is an effective, well-tolerated and low-cost regimen for patients with MBC, including those pretreated with anthracyclines.