GEMCITABINE FOR PALLIATIVE TREATMENT IN METASTATIC BREAST-CANCER

Gemcitabine is one of the recently developed drugs with a high efficac y in various malignant tumours and a mild toxicity profile. As monoche motherapy in metastatic breast cancer, gemcitabine yielded response ra tes up to 46% as first- and second-line treatment. Neutropenia is the clinically most relevant unwanted effect. Haematological and nonhaemat ological toxicities are mild, making dose reductions, delays of treatm ent or withdrawal from treatment very rare. The first phase I and phas e II studies of gemcitabine in combination with anthracyclines have sh own a good toxicity profile and promising remission rates. Phase I exp eriences with long-time infusion schedules reveal good feasibility and high patient acceptance.