Poor accrual

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of metronomic oral vinorelbine taken three times a week plus daily lapatinib without break, as salvage treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Continuous administration of oral vinorelbine, given three times a week (metronomic) is feasible and exceptionally well tolerated at doses up to 50 mg. Early results show activity against refractory tumors and provide evidence towards clinical proof of efficacy for metronomic chemotherapy. Recently, lapatinib plus capecitabine was proven superior to capecitabine alone in women with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer that has progressed after treatment with regimens that included an anthracycline, a taxane, and trastuzumab.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically- or cytologically- confirmed metastatic breast adenocarcinoma
• Age 18-75 years
• HER2 status positive according to the local institution reported grade 3+ staining intensity (on a scale of 0 to 3) by means of immunohistochemical analysis or grade 2+ staining intensity by means of immunohistochemical analysis with gene amplification on fluorescence in situ hybridization
• Previous therapies had to include, regimens containing an anthracycline and a taxane
• Previous treatment with trastuzumab, alone or in combination with chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic disease, is required
• Measurable disease as defined by the presence of at least one measurable lesion (except bone metastases, ascites or pleural effusions)
• Performance status (WHO) 0-2
• Adequate liver (serum bilirubin <1.5 times the upper normal limit; AST and ALT <2.5 times the upper normal limit in the absence of demonstrable liver metastases, or <5 times the upper normal limit in the presence of liver metastases); adequate renal function (serum creatinine <1.5 times the upper normal limit); and bone marrow (neutrophils ≥ 1.5x 109 /L, and platelets ≥ 100x 109 /L) function
• No radiation of measurable disease (except brain metastases)
• No progressive brain metastases according to clinical or radiological criteria
• No brain metastases without prior radiation therapy
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient unable to take oral medication
• Active infection
• History of significant cardiac disease (unstable angina, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction within the previous 6 months, ventricular arrhythmias)
• Other invasive malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• Psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
• Pregnant or lactating women