Phase II trial of weekly docetaxel/ gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: A phase II study evaluated weekly docetaxel/gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy for locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer in a multicenter community oncology practice setting.

Patients And Methods: Eligible patients who had not received chemotherapy for metastatic disease received docetaxel 30 mg/m2 followed by gemcitabine 800 mg/m2, each administered weekly for 3 weeks (days 1, 8, and 15), followed by a 1-week rest period (28-day cycle). Patients also received oral dexamethasone to reduce the incidence/severity of fluid retention and hypersensitivity reactions.