We report a case of
breast cancer with multiple liver
metastases successfully treated with
capecitabine monotherapy after failure of combination
therapy comprising
bevacizumab (Bev) and
paclitaxel (PTX). In March 2012, a 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with Stage IV
breast cancer with massive
pleural effusion. Histological examination showed invasive
ductal carcinoma (
scirrhous carcinoma) that was positive for hormonal receptor but negative for HER2 expression, and the nuclear grade was 1. She first received
chemotherapy to decrease the
tumor volume followed by hormonal
therapy. After progression, imaging studies showed increased multiple lung and liver
metastases and
pleural effusion. Subsequently, treatment with combination of Bev and PTX was started from July 2014. After 4 courses of the combination
therapy, multiple liver
metastases were unchanged, but her liver function was impaired. Hence, she received
capecitabine monotherapy (1,800 mg bis in die [BID]; 2-week administration followed by a week of rest). Her liver function improved early, and a partial response (PR) in the multiple liver
metastases was achieved 3 months after initiation of
therapy. Furthermore, the metastatic lesions were well controlled 4 months later. These findings suggest that the sensitivity to an
anticancer agent greatly varies among patients.