Weekly paclitaxel plus capecitabine versus docetaxel every 3 weeks plus capecitabine in metastatic breast cancer

Background. we performed a randomized phase ii study comparing efficacy and toxicity of weekly paclitaxel 80mg/m2 (weetax) with three weekly docetaxel 75mg/m2 (threetax),both in combination with oral capecitabine 1000mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week break. patients. thirty-seven women with confirmed metastatic breast cancer were randomized. results. median ttf was 174 (weetax) versus 147 days (threetax) (p=0.472). median os was 933 (weetax) versus 464 days (threetax) (p=0.191). reasons for ttf were pd 8/18 (weetax),9/19 (threetax); and toxicity: 8/18 (weetax),8/19 (threetax). orr was 72% (weetax) versus 26% (threetax) (p=0.01). the threetax-combination resulted in a higher incidence of leuco-/neutropenia compared to weetax. grade ii anemia was more pronounced in the weetax group. no difference was found in quality of life. conclusion. taxanes in combination with capecitabine resulted in a high level of toxicity. taxanes and capecitabine should be considered given sequentially and not in combination. copyright © 2012 e. a. wist et al.