Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer with Capecitabine: Efficacy and Toxicity; [Metastatik Meme Kanserinin Tedavisinde Capecitabine: Etkinlik ve Toksisite]

Sezgin V.C.; Şanli U.A.; Karabulut B.; Uslu R.; Müezzinoǧlu G.G.; Göker E.; Özdemir N.

Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer with Capecitabine: Efficacy and Toxicity; [Metastatik Meme Kanserinin Tedavisinde Capecitabine: Etkinlik ve Toksisite]

Date

2003

Authors

Abstract

Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine that mimics continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil. As an oral agent, capecitabine is more convenient for patients and medical oncologists, and avoids the complications associated with venous access. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of capecitabine in anthracycline and taxane pretreated metastatic breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated efficacy and tolerability of capecitabine in anthracycline and taxane pretreated metastatic breast cancer retrospectively. A total of 42 patients received oral capecitabine 2000 mg/m2/daily, on days 1-14 of each 3-week treatment cycle. Complete response not achieved. The partial and stable response rate were %19, %45,2 respectively. Median progression free survival time was 5 months. Additionally, cerbB2 subgroup analysis was performed. Progression free survival was longer in cerbB2 negative group than cerbB2 positive group. Difference between two groups was statistically significant. Oral capecitabine monotherapy demonstrated an acceptable safety profile. There was a low incidence of grade 3-4 adverse event. Capecitabine therapy, has antitumor activity and an acceptable safety profile in this setting.