GEMOX: An Active Regimen for the Treatment of Luminal and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: Pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains a formidable challenge with unmet needs both in terms of prolonged survival and quality-of-life-related issues. Methods: We collected data from 27 MBC patients treated with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX) at our institution between June 2009 and April 2015. The patients were heavily pretreated, and all had previously been exposed to anthracyclines and taxanes. Results: We achieved a complete response in 1 patient (4%), a partial response in 7 patients (26%) and stable disease in 12 patients (44%), while 6 patients (22%) experienced progressive disease. The response of 1 patient (4%) could not be evaluated because she interrupted her treatment during the first cycle due to a major reaction to oxaliplatin. We observed grade 4 hypertransaminasaemia in only 1 patient (4%) and grade 2 neuropathy in 16 patients (59%). Grade 3 leuconeutropenia was observed in 5 patients (18%). The median progression-free survival was 5.9 months and the median overall survival was 9.6 months. Conclusions: GEMOX is an efficient and well-tolerated salvage regimen for MBC patients.