Clinical observations and outcomes of capecitabine-based regimens in treating Chinese patients with liver metastases from breast cancer

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine-based regimens in treating patients with liver metastases from breast cancer. Methods: A total of 163 patients with liver metastases from breast cancer who received capecitabine-based regimens between January 1, 2000 and Dec 31, 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of these patients were evaluated. Results: Of the 163 patients retrospectively analyzed, 109 received docetaxel plus capecitabine (TX) and 54 received vinorelbine plus capecitabine (NX). TX treatment achieved objective responses in 59 patients (54.1%), including complete response in four patients, partial response in 55 patients, and stable disease in 25 patients. In patients who received NX, the objective response and clinical benefit rates were 50.0% and 70.4%, respectively; one patient had a complete response, 26 patients had a partial response, and 11 patients had a stable disease. The safety profiles of TX treatment were more favorable and predictable compared with NX treatment, with a low incidence of grade 3/4 adverse events in hematological and non-hematological toxicities. Results showed that median overall survival after liver metastases (LMS), progression-free survival (PFS), and post-metastasis survival (MSR) were 26, 8, and 28 months in the TX arm. LMS, PFS, and MSR were longer in the TX arm than in the NX arm. Conclusion: Capecitabine-based regimens showed tolerance in patients with liver metastases from breast cancer. TX treatment had a tendency of lower toxicity and was more effective compared with NX treatment.