Capecitabine (X) in the routine treatment of advanced breast cancer (BC): Results from a large (n = 870) noninterventional study

e12021 Background: This observational study evaluated patient (pt) characteristics, treatment schedule and setting, efficacy and tolerability of X in routine clinical practice in Germany. Methods: Pts with advanced BC pretreated with or ineligible for anthracycline-containing therapy received X. As there was no specific protocol for X administration, data on dose, treatment duration, treatment delays/interruptions, and concomitant anticancer therapy were collected as well as efficacy data. Pts were followed until disease progression or completion of 12 cycles (with long-term follow-up in pts who were progression-free after 12 cycles). Results: Between 2002 and 2007, 870 pts were recruited from 135 centers, of whom 846 were eligible. Most pts (62%) were aged 50–69 years and 64% had received prior taxane therapy. X was given as monotherapy in 64% (median starting dose 1070 mg/m2 bid) and combination chemotherapy in 36% (median starting dose 987 mg/m2 bid), typically with vinorelbine or docetaxel. Generally,...