Capecitabine/Taxane combination therapy: evolving clinical utility in breast cancer.

Capecitabine is approved as a single agent and in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Preclinical and clinical research suggests that the activity of capecitabine is enhanced in combination with taxanes and several biochemical mechanisms of synergy have been described. Recent data suggest that novel doses and schedules os capecitabine can improve safety without compromising efficacy. More than 50 publications and abstracts describing capecitabine/taxane combination therapy studies were reviewed to evaluate the available data on efficacy, safety, and quality of life for patients with breast cancer. Several ongoing randomized adjuvant and neoadjuvant clinical trials are assessing the clinical utility of capecitabine/taxane combinations in early-stage and locally advanced breast cancer.