The report deals with the results of chemotherapy of 25 cases of advanced breast cancer. The patients had received tamoxifen + diethylstilbestrol (or chlorotrianizen) to stimulate a short-term proliferation in tumor and to potentiate the effect of cytostatic drugs. Complete regression of tumor was observed in I case and partial regression--in 12 cases (overall response--52%). Tumor growth stimulation effect was assessed on the basis of changes in DNA synthesis rate and proliferative pool as evidenced by repeated biopsy of tumor.

The treatment schedule for disseminated breast carcinoma has been developed. It includes the use of adriamycin (30 mg/m2, days 1, 8, 15), methotrexate (30 mg/m2, day 1), 5-FU (600 mg/m2, day 8), and cyclophosphamide (400 mg/m2, day 15 i. v. by jet injection). A complete response was obtained in 50 to 56% of the patients, with remissions lasting for an appreciable period of time. The use of chemotherapy according to the described schedule combined with radiation of the bones of the pelvis and lumbar part of the spine brought about complete or partial reparation of the osteolytic, osteoblastic and mixed metastatic foci in 76.2% of the patients.

Roentgenography of the cranium, ribs, vertebral column, pelvis and scintigraphy of the skeleton were performed every 3-4 mos in 39 patients with breast cancer metastases to the bones. Criteria of therapeutic efficacy were the following: a complete therapeutic effect, a partial therapeutic effect, stabilization and progression. In osteolytic metastases a complete therapeutic effect was obtained in 72% of the cases. Sixteen patients have been in remission during 16-36 mos.

The content of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), the proliferative pool level in the tumour tissue were investigated in 6 patients with the disseminated breast tumour before and after 9-day treatment with tamoxifen and chlorotrianisene for intensification of the effect of cytostatic preparations. A significant increase of the DNA synthesis intensity and proliferative pool value is observed in ER+ tumours of 2 patients. An increase of the PR level in tumour biopsies was registered in 2 patients. A decrease of the ER+ level was detected in ER+ tumours in all three patients.