title: Clinical status of capecitabine in the treatment of breast cancer.
abstract: New treatment strategies for advanced breast cancer have focused on both the development of new molecular targets in breast cancer cells, as well as improving the therapeutic index of presently available therapy. The development of capecitabine (Xeloda), a new oral fluoropyrimidine, is an example of a chemotherapy drug that has single-agent activity in heavily pretreated patients with advanced breast cancer, with the added convenience of good oral bioavailability. Capecitabine is an excellent treatment option for patients who require symptom palliation and who prefer oral medications. The discussion that follows reviews the clinical data on the use of capecitabine in advanced breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Gradishar
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011355:Prodrugs; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil