Efficacy of vinorelbine in advanced and metastatic breast cancer

Vinorelbine is a new anti-cancer drug that is available for advanced or metastatic breast cancer, approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in May 2005. We evaluated its efficacy and safety in 35 patients treated with vinorelbine since April of 2005 to February of 2009. Patient's average age was 52 years old, and the average number of previous treatments was 2. 7. The response rate was 8. 6%; there was no complete responder, and three partial responders. Median duration of response was 5. 3-months. Clinical benefit rate was 28. 6%, 16. 7% in the vinorelbine monotherapy group, and 54. 3% in the VNR/trastuzumab combination therapy group. The adverse event was observed in 5. 7% as grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, and in 2. 9% as Grade 1 superficial phlebitis. These results suggest that vinorelbine is a safe and effective agent among a limited number of patients.