Capecitabine-based combination therapy for breast cancer: implications for nurses.
OBJECTIVE
To review available data and implications for nurses of combination regimens containing capecitabine for metastatic breast cancer.


METHODS
Peer-reviewed publications or abstracts from major oncology conferences and reviews of capecitabine focusing on nursing implications.


RESULTS
Capecitabine has proven efficacy in combination with docetaxel and is under evaluation in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic settings in combination with several oral and IV chemotherapeutic and biologic agents.


CONCLUSIONS
Capecitabine-containing regimens demonstrate high activity in a range of settings but typically have more complex safety profiles, dose-modification schemes, and scheduling requirements than monotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients need to be aware of a wider range of likely side effects and should understand that they have been prescribed combination therapy rather than more simple, single-agent treatments because of its potential to improve outcome.
Frye
Debra K
DK
Department of Breast Medical Oncology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. dfrye@mdanderson.org
D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000451:nursing; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000451:nursing; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000451:nursing; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000451:nursing; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D011355:Prodrugs; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil