Gemcitabine in Combination with Vinorelbine for Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer

Abstract

Several cytotoxic drugs have substantial antitumor activity against breast cancer. Combination cytotoxic regimens are associated with higher response rates and longer durations of response and survival than singleagent regimens. However, combination regimens of conventional agents have not changed the course of advanced disease. Since 1990, several newer cytotoxic agents have been developed and integrated into management strategies for advanced breast cancer. Gemcitabine and vinorelbine are 2 such newer cytotoxic agents that have demonstrated promising antitumor activity and favorable toxicity profiles as single-agent therapy for metastatic breast cancer. Gemcitabine and vinorelbine have different mechanisms of antitumor activity, good therapeutic indices, and nonoverlapping toxicities. The combination of these 2 drugs has been evaluated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Preliminary results from phase II clinical trials suggest that gemcitabine/vinorelbine with or without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is effective first- or secondline therapy for advanced breast cancer and has a favorable safety profile. Further studies of the gemcitabine/ vinorelbine combination regimen are warranted.