Pharmacokinetic, biochemical and clinical effects of dimethyltriazenoimidazole-4-carboxamide-bischloroethylnitrosourea combination therapy in patients with advanced breast cancer.

We assessed whether split dosing with the methylating agent DTIC is an effective strategy for inactivating the DNA repair protein O6-alkylguanine DNA-ATase in order to decrease tumour resistance to BCNU. ATase levels in PBMCs were used as a surrogate for tumour ATase depletion to determine whether this correlated with either the pharmacokinetics of DTIC and its major metabolite AIC or other clinical sequelae. Two 1 hr infusions of DTIC (400 mg/m(2)) 4 hr apart followed another 4 hr later by BCNU (75 mg/m(2)) were administered every 6 weeks in 7 patients with heavily pretreated advanced breast cancer.

Quality of life during high dose chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Asmall sample of women (n=9) receiving high dose chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer were asked to complete a quality of life measure (QLQ-C30) at three time points: prior to, during and post treatment. Despite the onset of severe side effects, no significant deterioration in quality of life was recorded in terms of physical, role, emotional, cognitive or social functioning. The role of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in providing continuity of care as well as support and information for these women is discussed.