Using paclitaxel, capecitabine and bevacizumab together to treat triple-negative metastatic breast cancer

In recent years, many new treatments have been developed for breast cancers dependent on hormones or HER2 for growth. However, breast cancers not dependent on these factors (triple negative breast cancer) can still be difficult to treat. 

Combinations of treatments that work in different ways have shown promising results in slowing the spread and growth of metastatic (spread to other areas of the body) breast cancer. However, it can be difficult to measure whether drug combinations are more successful in increasing survival time.

Paclitaxel, capecitabine and bevacizumab are treatments that work in different ways to prevent cancer growing and spreading. Whether this drug combination is safe and effective in triple negative, metastatic breast cancer is unclear.

This study included 57 patients who had triple negative, metastatic breast cancer. They received four-weekly cycles of paclitaxel, capecitabine, and bevacizumab, which were repeated until either the disease progressed or the drug combination starting causing harm to the patients. Over one in five patients had to stop treatment due to the drugs becoming too toxic (causing a harmful effect).

77% of patients showed a response to treatment, with 19% showing a complete response (absence of cancer cells). The average length of response was 5.6 months. The average overall survival (time from treatment until death from any cause) was 19.2 months. The average time to disease progression was 7.6 months.

90% of patients experienced fatigue due to the treatment. 84% experienced pain, 79% experienced high blood pressure, and 66% experienced hair loss. 

The study concluded that the drug combination was safe and effective in treating this difficult to treat patient group. 

There was no control arm in the study.