Analysis on Clinical Efficacy of Gemcitabine Combined with Capecitabine for Patients with Anthracycline and Taxane-refractory Metastatic Breast Cancer

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of gemcitabine combined with capecitabine for patients with anthracycline- and taxane-refractory metastatic breast cancer (ATRMBC). Methods Thirty-seven ATRMBC patients were given intravenous gemcitabine 1 000 mg/m² on the day 1 and 8, and oral capecitabine 1 000 mg/m² twice daily on the day 1~14 every 3 weeks. Results Thirty-seven patients completed 155 cycles of chemotherapy with a median number of 4 cycles per patient. One patient (2.7%) achieved a complete response, and 14 patients (37.9%) had a partial response, with an overall objective response rate of 40.6% (95% confidence interval: 24.8%～56.4%). Stable disease was documented in 13 patients (35.1%) while progressive disease occurred in 9 patients (24.3%). After average follow-up of 14.8 months, the median time to progression was 7.3 months (95% confidence interval: 6.2～8.4 months), and median overall survival time was 15.6 months (95% confidence interval: 12.6～18.6 months). Conclusion The triweekly combined chemotherapy of gemcitabine with capecitabine is effective for ATRMBC patients. The hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities are well-tolerated.