Ixabepilone plus Capecitabine for Metastatic Breast Cancer?

Overall survival rate was not significantly better with combination therapy than with capecitabine alone, despite an advantage in progression-free survival.

Treatment options are few for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who have already been treated unsuccessfully with an anthracycline and a taxane. FDA approval of the epothilone known as ixabepilone has expanded the options. In a previous phase III, randomized trial involving patients with anthracycline- and taxane-resistant MBC, ixabepilone plus capecitabine yielded significantly better objective response rates and significantly longer progression-free survival (but no advantage in overall survival) compared with capecitabine alone (J Clin Oncol 2007; 25:5210).

Now, investigators have conducted a second phase III randomized trial of these two regimens (funded by the manufacturer of ixabepilone). Specific definitions of resistance t…

Reviewing Author

William J. Gradishar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardLilly; AstraZeneca; Gilead

Grant/Research SupportBreast Cancer Research Foundation

Editorial BoardsClinical Breast Cancer; Oncology; Annals of Surgery; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (Chair, Breast Cancer Panel); American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology Board)