[A phase-I clinical study of a combination therapy of vinorelbine and capecitabine in patients with advanced/recurrent breast cancer].

A phase-I clinical study of a combination therapy of vinorelbine and capecitabine was conducted in anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated patients with advanced/recurrent breast cancer. The objectives of this study in four medical institutions were to evaluate DLT (Dose Limiting Toxicity) and safety as primary endpoints, and tumor response and pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine as secondary endpoints. One 3-week course of treatment consisted of intravenous vinorelbine on Days 1 and 8 and oral capecitabine on Days 1 to 14, followed by a one-week rest. Vinorelbine was given at 20 mg/m(2) (Level 1) and 25 mg/m(2) (Level 2), and capecitabine was given at 1,650 mg/m(2)/day (in two divided doses, Levels 1 - 2). As the administration at each dose level in 3 patients did not cause DLT, 6 patients were additionally treated with vinorelbine at 25 mg/m(2) and capecitabine at 1,650 mg/m(2)/day (in two divided doses) to confirm safety. The major toxicities were bone marrow depression and gastrointestinal symptoms. In particular, the incidences of grade 3 or greater neutropenia (11 patients) and leukemia (10 patients) were high. They were reversible, however, and not severe enough to discontinue treatment. The response rate was 25.0% (3 PR/12). The combination with capecitabine did not affect the plasma pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine.