Inclusion Criteria:

- Histologically confirmed metastatic breast cancer

- All patients were required to give written informed consent.

- Prior treatment with chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy or local
radiotherapy was allowed (except gemcitabine or platinum agents).

- Patients were required to have at least one bidimensionally measurable lesion outside
a previous radiation port.

- Age ≥ 18 years

- Karnofsky Performance status ≥ 70 %

- Minimal life expectancy of 12 weeks

- Adequate haematological, renal, cardiac and hepatic function:

1. Leukocyte count ≥ 3.0 x 109/l

2. Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 2.0 x 109/l

3. Platelet count ≥ 100 x 109/l

4. Haemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dl

5. Total serum bilirubin ≤ 1.25 x upper limit of normal (ULN) In presence of liver
metastasis ≤ 3 x ULN

6. Transaminase (ALT,AST) level ≤ 3 x ULN In presence of liver metastasis ≤ 5 x
ULN

7. Alkaline phosphatase level ≤ 2.5 x ULN

8. Creatinine clearance was required to exceed 60 ml/min.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Prior treatment with gemcitabine or platinum agents

- Inadequate creatinine clearance (< 60 ml/min)

- Only bone metastases

- Symptomatic brain metastases

- Women who are pregnant, lactating or refuse effective contraception

- Secondary malignancy

- History of another primary malignant disease other than in situ carcinoma of the
uterine cervix or adequately treated basal cell skin cancer

- Active infection

- Any other concomitant severe clinical condition making implementation of the protocol
including pre-hydration difficult.