OBJECTIVETo evaluate retrospectively the efficacy and toxicity of capecitabine-based chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.

METHODSThree hundred and seventy-six patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with capecitabine-based chemotherapy regimens in our department from Sep 2002 to Sep 2009. They were divided into 3 groups. The group 1 was treated with capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) orally twice daily on d1-d14, repeated every 3 weeks. The group 2 was treated with capecitabine as group 1, and combined with docetaxel 60 - 75 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion on d1, repeated every 3 weeks. The group 3 was treated with capecitabine as group 1, and combined with vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion on d1 and d8, repeated every 3 weeks. The median treatment period of treatment was 3 cycles.

RESULTSAmong the 376 patients, 218 patients were evaluable for response. In the group 1 the objective response rate (ORR) was 12.8% and the clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 21.6%. The CBR but not ORR of first line therapy with capecitabine was 35.2%, significantly higher than that of more than first line therapy (17.1%, P < 0.01). The ORRs for group 2 and group 3 were 53.8% and 36.4%, respectively. In the group 2 there was no significant difference in the ORR between the first line therapy and more than first line therapy. In the group 3 the ORR of first line therapy of NX regimen was 36.4%, significantly higher than that of more than first line therapy (16.7%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe capecitabine-based chemotherapy is effective and tolerable, and can be used not only in first line but also more than first line therapy. The single agent maintenance chemotherapy after response to combined chemotherapy can prolonge the duration of treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer.