FDA Approves Xeloda, Taxotere Combination for Advanced Breast Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug combination of Xeloda and Taxotere for use in women whose advanced breast cancer has not responded to standard treatment.

Xeloda and Taxotere taken together have been shown to increase survival by about 25 percent compared to Taxotere taken alone, according to researchers in their study of 511 women with advanced breast cancer who did not benefit from standard drug therapy.

Taxotere is given intravenously every three weeks and Xeloda, a pill, is taken daily. Xeloda interferes with a critical step in cell division and Taxotere disrupts the mechanism in cells needed for division.

The drug combination may have serious side effects, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, painful swelling of hands and feet, and bone marrow suppression. The drug combination must also be used cautiously in women taking blood thinning medication.

Other Sources: FDA, AP