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Thirty nine patients with metastatic breast cancer, all previously treated with chemotherapy including anthracycline, were given Elliptinium acetate (80 mg/m2/day) and a continuous infusion of Vinblastine (2 mg/m2/day) for 3 consecutive days every 4 weeks. Twenty nine patients had measurable metastatic disease. Nine (31%) achieved a partial response. No complete response was observed. Median duration of response was 6 months. The response rate was dependent on the number of metastatic sites and independent of the number of previous chemotherapy regimes. Side effects were dry mouth (27 patients), vomiting (9), neutropenia (3 patients with grade IV, 2 with grade III), muscle cramps (5) and thrombosis (3). Xerostomia and vomiting contributed to weight loss and fatigue (8 patients). We conclude that Elliptinium-Vinblastine combination has moderate activity as second line treatment in metastatic breast cancer. This combination causes xerostomia and fatigue with moderate myelosuppression.

Percutaneous laser hot‐tip recanalization of totally occluded superficial femoral arteries has previously been dependent on access to the superficial femoral artery via the common femoral artery. Certain subsets of disease do not permit this approach and thus make patients ineligible for this nonsurgical option. In order to extend the benefits of laser angioplasty to these patients, we have investigated the applicability of percutaneous popliteal artery puncture as an access point from which superficial femoral artery percutaneous laser balloon angioplasty can be performed. Twenty‐one procedures were performed on 20 patients with total superficial femoral artery occlusions. Eighteen had successful recanalization (85%). All 18 recanalized vessels were patent at 3 weeks post procedure. Minor complications which did not require surgical or medical intervention occurred in nine patients. We concluded that a percutaneous popliteal approach to laser angioplasty of a totally occluded superficial femoral artery can be safe and effective in selected patients.

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