Combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and doxifluridine showed a beneficial outcome in advanced or recurrent breast cancer patients with longer disease-free interval.

Fundamental studies have confirmed that combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and doxifluridine (a capecitabine metabolite) is very useful in the treatment of breast cancer. This study investigated the usefulness and tolerability of a combination chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel administration on day 8 of doxifluridine therapy in 40 advanced/recurrent breast cancer patients. The overall response rate was 41.0% in 39 eligible patients. The median time to progression (TTP) for all patients was 295 days. Many responders had lung metastasis, soft tissue metastasis or a good performance status, whereas the clinical response showed no correlations with the estrogen receptor status or prior treatment with an anthracycline. The most common hematological toxicities were leukopenia and neutropenia, but dose reduction or delay of administration of either drug was unnecessary. Conclusion: The good response rate and long TTP of this doxifluridine plus docetaxel regimen indicate its potential as a first- or second-line treatment for advanced/recurrent breast cancer patients.