Gemcitabine combination chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer: phase II experience

Gemcitabine has been evaluated in combination with paclitaxel, docetaxel, anthracyclines, vinorelbine, and cisplatin as first-line treatment and after prior chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Results with gemcitabine/taxane combinations have been especially encouraging, with these combinations providing promising outcomes with regard both to tumor response and tolerability. The combination of gemcitabine and paclitaxel has garnered particular interest for further phase III evaluation on the basis of high response rates and durable responses in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients, including anthracycline-pretreated patients.