Cyclophosphamide Methotrexate Fluorouracil (CMF) is a commonly used regimen of breast cancer chemotherapy that combines three anti-cancer agents: cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).[1]

CMF
SpecialtyOncology

While it is no longer considered the most efficient all-around chemotherapy, it retains a great importance in the treatment of elderly patients with luminal cancers and may become important for the treatment of estrogen receptor negative androgen receptor positive luminal (GATA3 expressing) breast cancer.

The regimen was designed in order to mimic the highly successful regimen developed to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma.[2]

Treatment

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The treatment is administered over a four-week cycle. On days 1 and 8 methotrexate and 5-FU are given as injections. Cyclophosphamide may be also administered intravenously in conjunction with these drugs, or may be taken as an oral tablet, taken once each day for the first 14 days of each cycle.[3]

Side effects

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Side effects of CMF treatment include:[3]

References

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  1. ^ Kimmick GG, Cirrincione C, Duggan DB, et al. (2008). "Fifteen-year median follow-up results after neoadjuvant doxorubicin, followed by mastectomy, followed by adjuvant cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) followed by radiation for stage III breast cancer: a phase II trial (CALGB 8944)". Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 113 (3): 479–90. doi:10.1007/s10549-008-9943-2. PMC 4217205. PMID 18306034.
  2. ^ Ferreira Filho AF, Di Leo A, Paesmans M, et al. (2002). "The feasibility of classical cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil (CMF) for pre- and post-menopausal node-positive breast cancer patients in a Belgian multicentric trial: a study of consistency in relative dose intensity (RDI) and cumulative doses across institutions". Annals of Oncology. 13 (3): 416–421. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdf051. PMID 11996473.
  3. ^ a b "CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil)". UK: Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Archived from the original on 2009-01-06. Retrieved 2008-10-13.