Mitoxantrone was given to 19 patients with liver metastases from breast cancer and biochemical evidence of liver dysfunction. In all, 2 patients received the drug at a dose of 10 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2 of the first course of treatment; 1 patient was given 9 mg/m2 and 17 received 8 mg/m2. Subsequent courses were given at a dose of 10 mg/m2. Three patients (16%) showed a partial response, with time to progression of between 3 and 7 months. Toxicity was considerable, with myelosuppression being the major problem.