Abstract:

Objective To investigate the efficacy and side effects of ShenYi capsule combined with capecitabine （CAP） in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Methods A total of 56 patients with advanced breast cancer treated in our hospital between May 2009 and June 2014 were randomly divided into two groups. The CAP group received oral CAP（1250 mg/m²） twice daily on days 1-14，and this cycle was repeated every four weeks. The Combination group received the CAP regime as in the CAP group，as well as two ShenYi capsules twice daily on an 8-week cycle. Efficacy was evaluated at the end of the second CAP cycle. Results The rate of complete+partial response was 39.3% in the CAP group and 50.0% in the Combination group，but this difference did not achieve signifi-cance （P>0.05）. The two groups did not differ significantly in the incidence of hand and foot syndrome or in platelet count decreases. Conclusion The combination of CAP and ShenYi capsule may be a more effective treatment for advanced breast cancer than CAP alone，and further clinical research is warranted.

Key words: Breast neoplasms, Advanced stage, ShenYi capsule, Capecitabine