Long median survival with capecitabine (X) single-agent therapy for patients (pts) with anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

Abstract

10710 Background: X (Xeloda) is an oral fluoropyrmidine with consistently high activity in MBC, a good safety profile with little myelosuppression and no alopecia, and the convenience of oral administration. The addition of X to docetaxel in anthracycline-pretreated pts also increases survival. This non-randomized phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety and impact on quality of life (QoL) of X in pts with MBC pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes. Main findings from this trial have been published previously [Fumoleau et al. Eur J Cancer 2004;40:536–42]. Here we present mature data after a follow-up of 48 months. Methods: Pts with anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated MBC received X 1250 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1–14 every 3 weeks for a median of 6 cycles (range 1–15). Results: Baseline characteristics of the 126 pts enrolled were typical of a pretreated MBC population. X achieved complete/partial response or stable disease in 63% of patients (overall response rate, 28%). Median time to progression was 4.9 months (95% CI: 4.0–6.4).Median duration of response was 5.9 months (95% CI: 4.5–12.7). The only grade 3/4 events occurring in ≥ 10% of patients were diarrhea (10%) and HFS (21%). The most common grade 3/4 laboratory abnormality was granulocytopenia (14%). After a follow-up of 48 months, 8 patients are still alive. Updated median overall survival is 15.9 months (95% CI: 13.5–21.3). 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates are 63%, 37% and 17%, respectively. QoL assessment showed that X treatment was associated with an increase in mean Global Health Score up to cycle 6, with the increase maintained at subsequent evaluations. Conclusions: X is highly active in patients with anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated MBC, leading to a long median survival of 15.9 months. X is also well tolerated and improves QoL. [Table: see text]