Background. We performed a randomized phase II study comparing efficacy and toxicity of weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2(Weetax) with three weekly docetaxel 75 mg/m2(Threetax), both in combination with oral capecitabine 1000 mg/m2twice 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) (). Median OS was 933 (Weetax) versus 464 days (Threetax) (). 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) (). 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.
0187 Weekly docetaxel with or without gemcitabine as second line chemotherapy in paclitaxel pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer: A randomised phase II study conducted by the Hellenic Co-operative oncology group