Oral fluoropyrimidines among the new drugs for patients with metastatic breast cancer
2001

Oral Fluoropyrimidines for Metastatic Breast Cancer

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Leonard R C F

Primary Institution: Department of Clinical Oncology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK

Hypothesis

Oral agents like capecitabine can provide effective treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer, especially those resistant to other therapies.

Conclusion

Capecitabine is an effective and well-tolerated alternative to intravenous treatments for metastatic breast cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • Capecitabine showed a 20% response rate in paclitaxel-refractory patients.
  • In anthracycline-refractory patients, capecitabine had a 36% response rate.
  • A randomized trial showed a 30% response rate for capecitabine as first-line treatment.

Takeaway

Capecitabine is a pill that helps treat breast cancer and is easier for patients to take than injections.

Methodology

Phase II studies and a randomized phase II trial were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

95% Cl: 19–43%

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1054/bjoc.2001.1819

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