Figure 4

Variation of plasma tumor marker levels in patients with advanced breast carcinoma treated with regimens including FUra, high dose folinic acid and pyridoxine in tandem. Points in scattergram represent variation of plasma CA15-3, CEA, and CA125 levels under treatment as a ratio of the initial concentration to the final value at the time of antitumor activity evaluation. Only patients with plasma tumor markers whose initial levels were ≥ twice the upper limit of normal values are indicated. Open circles indicate patients whose markers attained levels equal or below the upper limits of normal values. Solid circles indicate patients whose marker levels decreased but remained above the upper limit of normal values. Groups of patients in abscissa comprise I, previously untreated patients whose tumors did not overexpress HER2; II, previously untreated patients with tumors overexpressing (3+) HER2; and III, previously treated patients whose tumors did not overexpress HER2.