Oral tegafur in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer: a phase II study

Between February 1985 and October 1989, 26 patients previously treated for metastatic breast cancer received oral tegafur, at a median daily dose of 1200 mg. Of these, 21 were evaluable for response. The overall response rate was 29%; six (two in lungs, two in skin and two in lymph nodes) of 44 evaluable lesions (14%) responded to therapy. Haematological toxicity was mild, and no other dose-limiting toxicity was seen. The data indicate some activity in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer even after previous 5-FU therapy.