New Chemotherapy Combo Produces Side Effects, But No Extra Efficacy, In Early Breast Cancer Patients

EurekAlert -- Adding capecitabine, a drug that inhibits DNA synthesis and slows the growth of tumour tissue, to docetaxel, in patients with early breast cancer, leads to more toxicities and does not improve the efficacy of treatment, a German scientist told the 6th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-6) today (Thursday 17 April). Previously, such a combination had improved patient survival in metastatic disease, where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.