Objectives: Data on chemotherapy regimens in elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are limited. The aim of this retrospective pooled analysis was to determine efficacy and safety of ixabepilone plus capecitabine versus capecitabine alone in patients with MBC aged ≥ 65 years. Materials and methods: A total of 1973 patients with MBC previously treated with or resistant to anthracyclines and taxanes were randomized in two open-label, multinational, phase 3 studies (study 046 and study 048). Patients received ixabepilone (40 mg/m(2) as a 3-hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks) plus oral capecitabine (1000 mg/m(2) administered twice each day), or capecitabine alone (1250 mg/m(2) twice each day). Results: In total, 251 randomized patients were aged ≥ 65 years (ixabepilone plus capecitabine, n=116; capecitabine monotherapy, n=135). Efficacy results were consistent in patie...