Clinical effectiveness and safety of gemcitabine plus capecitabine in the treatment of advanced triple-negative breast cancer.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical effectiveness and safety of Gemcitabine (GEM) plus Capecitabine (CAP) for advanced triple-negative breast cancer (aTNBC). METHODS: Eighty aTNBC patients treated in Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between June 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively included and divided into an observation group (Obs; 42 cases treated with GEM + CAP) and a control group (Con; 38 cases treated with docetaxel + CAP) according to different chemotherapy regimens. The clinical effectiveness and the serum levels of tumor markers and inflammatory factors pre- and post-treatment were detected for comparative analyses. In addition, the two groups were compared in terms of side effects, 1-year survival, and quality of life after 1 month of treatment. Cox regression was performed to identify the independent risk factors affecting patient prognosis. RESULTS: Higher clinical effectiveness was observed in the Obs group compared to the Con (P < 0.05). The pre-treatment TPS, CA153, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were comparable between groups (all P > 0.05); however, better post-treatment TPS, CA153, and inflammatory factors were observed in the Obs group compared to the Con (all P < 0.05). The Obs group also showed markedly lower drug-induced toxicities than the Con group, with higher 1-year survival and better quality-of-life after 1 month of treatment (all P < 0.05). According to multivariate analysis, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors for poor prognosis, and GEM + CAP chemotherapy was a protective prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: GEM + CAP is effective in treating aTNBC and provides clinical benefit for patients, with fewer side effects and good patient tolerance.