Capecitabin combined with gemcitabine/vinorelbine in treatment of patients with recurrent metastatic breast cancer

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of gemcitabine/vinorelbine combined with capecitabin in treatment of patients with recurrent metastatic breast cancer. Methods Seventy-five patients diagnosed with recurrent metastatic breast cancer in Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 1, 2008 to May 1, 2014 were enrolled in this study. Of the 75 cases, 42 patients were treated with gemcitabine and capecitabin (GX), 33 patients were treated with vinorelbine and capecitabin (NX). Results In GX regimen group, the objective response rate was 16.7%, the disease control rate was 85.7%, the clinical benefit rate was 45.2%, and the timeto-progression was 5.68 (95% CI: 3.679-7.689) months. In NX regimen group, the objective response rate was 29.3%, the disease control rate was 74.8%, the clinical benefit rate was 51.5%, and the time-to-progression was 8.25 (95% CI: 3.717-12.776) months.The efficacy of NX regimen in first-line chemotherapy was superior to multi-line chemotherapy. Conclusion Both treatments are well tolerated. NX regimen may have a better efficacy in first-line chemotherapy.