[Capecitabine (xeloda) in the treatment of relapsed and metastatic breast cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the response rate and adverse reactions of xeloda, an analogue of 5-fluorouracil, in the treatment of relapsed and metastatic breast cancer.


METHODS
Twenty-two breast cancer patients who had recurrent and metastatic measurable foci were treated from Dec. 1999 to Feb. 2000. Xeloda was given, as a single drug, at a dose of or 2,510 mg/m2/d, bid, for two weeks followed by one week rest as one cycle, at least for one cycle in each patient.


RESULTS
Among these 22 patients, there was no complete response. Rates of partial response 8(36.4%), stable disease 10(45.5%), progressive disease 4(18.2%), and clinical benefit response (CR + PR + SD) 18(81.8%). The response rate in patients who had failed in previous chemotherapy of taxanes and/or anthracycline was 30.0%-33.3%. The common adverse reactions were hand-foot syndrome, skin pigmentation, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and fatigue. Mild-moderate anemia and leukopenia were observed in 36.4% of patients. Stomatitis, dizziness, diarrhea and chest distress were present in some. One patient developed degree IV myelosuppression. Total bilirubin and alanine transaminase (ALAT) mild elevation occurred in a few patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Xeloda is an effective drug in the treatment of patients with relapsed and metastatic breast cancer, especially for those who have failed in chemotherapy with taxanes and/or anthracycline. Xeloda is well tolerated but has mild adverse reactions.
Liu
Xiaoqing
X
307 Hospital, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100039, China.
Song
Santai
S
Guan
Zhongzhen
Z
Wu
Sikai
S
Duan
Yufeng
Y
Yu
Jingxin
J
Yang
Lifang
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000069287:Capecitabine; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012008:Recurrence
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil