Table 1.
Clinically used combination regimens of nonspecific small molecule chemotherapeutic agents in metastatic breast cancer.
| Classes | Regimens | Advantages | Disadvantages | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doxorubicin + Cyclophosphamide | ||||
| Anthracycline based | Doxorubicin + Fluorouracil | Improved RR | No significant difference in time to progression or survival, more treatment related toxicity, and less quality of life | [23, 24] |
| Epirubicin + Cyclophosphamide | ||||
| Epirubicin + Fluorouracil | ||||
|
| ||||
| Doxorubicin + Paclitaxel | Improved RR and PFS | More hematologic toxicity, cardiotoxicity | [18, 28] | |
| Taxane based | Doxorubicin + Docetaxel | |||
| Capecitabine + Docetaxel | Improved TTP, RR, and OS | Increased nonhematologic toxicity (diarrhea, stomatitis, hand-foot syndrome) | [25, 29, 30] | |
| Gemcitabine + Paclitaxel | ||||
|
| ||||
| Other combinations | Ixabepilone + Capecitabine | Improved RR and TTP in heavily pretreated patient | Peripheral neuropathy | [27] |
| Cyclophosphamide + Methotrexate + Fluorouracil | Improved RR, RFS, and OS | Rapid bone loss | [31–33] | |
OS: overall survival; PFS: progression-free survival; RFS: relapse-free survival; RR: response rate; TTP: time to progression.