State of the art chemotherapy in recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, according to the NCI's official cancer information website (quotations and drug listings below excerpted March 31, 2006)

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"Whether single-agent chemotherapy or combination chemotherapy is preferable for first-line treatment is unclear. "

"At this time, no data support the superiority of any particular regimen."

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"Single agents that have shown activity in metastatic breast cancer:

        Anthracyclines.
                 Doxorubicin, Epirubicin, Liposomal doxorubicin, Mitoxantrone.
        Taxanes.
                Paclitaxel, Docetaxel, Albumin-bound nanoparticle paclitaxel (ABI-007 or Abraxane)   
        Alkylating agents.
                Cyclophosphamide.
        Fluoropyrimidines.
                Capecitabine,5-FU.
        Antimetabolites.
                 Methotrexate.
        Vinca alkaloids.
                  Vinorelbine.Vinblastine.Vincristine.
        Platinum.
                    Carboplatin,Cisplatin.
        Other.
                    Gemcitabine.Mitomycin C.

"Combination regimens that have shown activity in metastatic breast cancer

                    CA: cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin.
                    Docetaxel and doxorubicin.
                    CAF: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil.
                    CMF: cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil.
                    Doxorubicin and paclitaxel.
                    Docetaxel and capecitabine.
                    Vinorelbine and epirubicin."