Capecitabine and Vinorelbine in Treating Older Women Who Have Metastatic Breast Cancer With or Without Bone Involvement

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically proven adenocarcinoma of the breast
• Phase I: Measurable or evaluable disease
• Phase II: Bidimensionally measurable disease
• No CNS metastases
• Hormone receptor status:
• * Not specified
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 65 and over
• Sex:
• Female
• Menopausal status:
• Postmenopausal
• Performance status:
• ECOG/SAKK 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• At least 12 weeks
• Hematopoietic:
• Normal peripheral blood counts
• Hepatic:
• AST no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 3 times ULN if liver metastases present)
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
• Other:
• No other prior or concurrent malignancy except adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No peripheral neuropathy grade 2 or higher
• No cognitive impairment or severe psychiatric disorder
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• More than 6 months since prior adjuvant chemotherapy
• No prior chemotherapy for metastatic or locally advanced disease
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• Prior hormonal therapy for metastatic disease allowed
• No continuous concurrent steroids
• No concurrent systemic endocrine therapy for breast cancer
• No other concurrent endocrine therapy
• Radiotherapy:
• No concurrent radiotherapy involving greater than 30% of bone marrow or mucosa
• Radiotherapy to nonindicator lesion allowed
• Surgery:
• Not specified
• Other:
• Bisphosphonates allowed if indicator lesion in nonbone site