Background and purpose: Capecitabine

which is widely used in the first-line treatment of advanced breast cancer

was known little in the maintenance treatment of advanced breast cancer. The present study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of capecitabine in the maintenance treatment of advanced breast cancer. Methods: A total of 62 advanced breast cancer patients confirmed by histopathology and/or cytology

who had been evaluated as CR/PR/SD after first-line treatment

were divided into two groups. Thirty-one of them received capecitabine orally as maintenance treatment

while the others were followed up without any treatment. The clinical response was evaluated every two cycles. Results: The median time to progression (TTP) of the capecitabine group was 12 (2-24) months

which was significantly higher than the control group. In the subgroup analysis

similar results were detected in the premenopausal group

hormone receptor positive group

HER-2 positive group

metastasis group

no capecitabine used history group. Among the capecitabine group，the overall response rate (CR+PR) was 19.4%

and the disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) was 74.2%. The most common adverse effects were hand-foot syndrome

hematologic toxicity and gastrointestinal reaction

all of which could be tolerated. The overall score of the capecitabine group evaluated by the Chinese vesion of the FACT-B was significantly higher than the control group. Conclusion: Capecitabine can effectively and tolerably prolong survival time and improve the quality of life of patients in the maintenance treatment of advanced breast cancer.