Inclusion Criteria:

- histologically verified diagnosis of breast carcinoma, at first diagnosis

- restricted previous adjuvant chemotherapy (completed >6 months prior the study)

- measurable and/or non-measurable disease

- previous radiotherapy is allowed if:terminated at least 10 days prior the sudy
therapy, at least one target lesion for evaluation of tumor response has not been
irradiated

- performance status 0-2 (WHO, Zubrod)

- adequate bone marrow reserve defined

- adequate liver / renal functions defined

Exclusion Criteria:

- any prior systematic chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer

- expected survival time less than 12 weeks

- past or current history of malignant neoplasm other than breast carcinoma

- except for cured non-melanoma skin cancer or curatively treated in situ
carcinoma of the cervix uteri

- known brain metastases/leptomeningeal involvement

- active uncontrolled infection

- symptomatic peripheral neuropathy > grade 2 according to NCI

- patients whose lesions are assessable only by radionuclide scan or patients with
sclerotic bone lesions as the only site of disease

- concomitant illness that is contraindication to the use of corticosteroids

- other concomitant serious illness or medical condition, which may worsen due to the
treatment