Capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy combined with autologous CIK cell immunotherapy in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of maintenance therapy of capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy combined with autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell immunotherapy in patients with recurrent metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). Methods The clinical data of 110 patients with recurrent mTNBC were retrospectively analyzed. Among, 55 were treated with maintenance therapy of capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy combined with autologous CIK cell immunotherapy (DC-CIK group), while the rest 55 were treated with simple metronomic chemotherapy (control group). Results The ORR of patients in DC-CIK group and control group was 29.1% and 16.4%, and the DCR was 74.5% and 63.6%, respectively. After treatment, the proportions of CD3+ T lymphocytes, CD4+ T lymphocytes and NK cells as well as the CD4/CD8 cell ratio were notably higher in DC-CIK group than those in control group, while the proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes was notably lower in DC-CIK group than that in control group. Compared with those before treatment, the scores of quality of life evaluated using the FACT-B-V4.0 scale were remarkably improved in both groups after treatment. The score of emotional status and total score were distinctly higher in DC-CIK group than those in control group. Moreover, the follow-up results together with log-rank test revealed that the PFS in DC-CIK group was notably superior to that in control group. Conclusions The maintenance therapy of capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy combined with DC-CIK cell immunotherapy is effective in the treatment of recurrent mTNBC, with tolerable adverse reactions. It can improve the patients' immune function, improve their quality of life, and prolong their PFS. Key words: capecitabine, metronomic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, breast cancer, recurrent and metastatic.