New data confirm that the Xeloda (capecitabine) and Taxotere (docetaxel) combination improves survival time by an important three months in younger or fitter women with an aggressive form of breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). This is the first study designed to show that taking the two potent drugs together improves women's survival when compared to the more commonly used 'sequential treatment' approach of taking Taxotere alone followed by Xeloda alone. The study noted a slight increase in the known manageable side effects of the two drugs, but this is more than compensated by the prospect of increased survival.

These new data show how important it is to investigate the benefits of modern, synergistic combinations rather than sequential treatments.

Improved treatments for younger or fitter women with breast cancer that has rapidly spread are desperately needed. Statistics show that breast cancer spreads in half of women diagnosed, and the average time that these women will live is only 18 to 30 months. Xeloda and Taxotere is the only chemotherapy combination proven to prolong the lives of these women beyond Taxotere alone.

"I have witnessed the powerful benefit of the Xeloda and Taxotere combination first-hand. For these women, the extension of life by three months allows them more precious time with family and loved ones. Now that the survival benefit of Xeloda and Taxotere has been confirmed, patients and physicians alike can be assured of the vital difference this very powerful combination can make," commented Dr Semir Beslija, lead study investigator.