Activity and safety of biweekly docetaxel plus capecitabine as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer

788 Background: The combination of docetaxel (D) plus capecitabine (CAP) administered every three weeks significantly improves survival over D alone in anthracycline- pretreated patients (p) with metastatic breast cancer. Biweekly administration of these agents may result in better activity/toxicity ratios. We have tested the activity and safety of D plus CAP as first-line treatment in p with metastatic breast cancer. Methods: P with histologically confirmed metastatic breast cancer, age older than 18 years, measurable disease, performance status 2 or better (ECOG) and adequate bone marrow, renal, hepatic and cardiac functions were eligible. Previous adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy was allowed. No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease was allowed. Treatment consisted of D 50 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1 and CAP 750 mg bid po days 1–10 of a 14-day cycle. Vitamin B6 300 mg bid day 1–14 was also given. In the absence of progression or unacceptable toxicity, treatment was to be continued for 12 courses. Prima...