Continuous venous infusion of vindesine in metastatic breast cancer: experience with a subcutaneously implanted system and portable pump
Amoroso, D.; Bertelli, G.; Pronzato, P.; Vidili, M.G.; Gulisano, M.; Lionetto, R.; Rosso, R.
Anticancer Research 9(1): 141-143
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 2705743 Document Number: 335139
Fourteen patients with advanced pretreated breast cancer were treated with vindesine in continuous venous infusion (1.5 mg/sm/24 hours for 72 hours every 3 weeks). A totally implanted venous access and a portable pump were used. A total of 33 courses was administered. No objective response was observed and treatment was stopped. Drug-related toxicity consisted mainly of alopecia (64% of patients), nausea and vomiting (29%) and mucositis (29%). Catheter - related toxicity was observed in 6 patients (43%) and consisted of infection of the skin pocket in 4 patients and dislodging of the needle and catheter break in one patient. The feasibility of continuous venous infusion of vesicant drugs in outpatients is discussed.