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Summary Background Docetaxel (Taxotere®) has demonstrated high antitumour activity in first- and second-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. This study analysed the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel given weekly. Patients and methods Thirty-five patients with metastatic breast cancer received docetaxel, 35 mg/m2 weekly for six weeks, followed by two weeks without treatment. Additional cycles (three weeks’ treatment, two weeks’ rest) were given until disease progression. All patients had received prior chemotherapy: 32 and 5 patients had received prior anthracycline-containing and taxane-containing regimens, respectively. Docetaxel was administered for a total of 359 doses (median 9, range 6–22). Results There was one complete response (3%), 11 partial responses (31%), 17 patients with stable disease (49%) and six with disease progression (17%). Overall response rate was 34% (95% confidential interval (95% CI): 18%–51%). Median survival was 307 days; median progression-free survival was 2.6 months (range 1.5 to ≥ 5.5 months). Three patients showed grade 3 neutropenia. 14 showed grade 3 alopecia, and various grade 1–2 non-haematological toxicities were observed. Treatment was delayed in two patients due to haematotoxicity, and stopped in one patient due to painful nail toxicity. Conclusion Weekly administration of docetaxel at a dose of 35 mg/m2 is effective and of low toxicity in patients with metastatic breast cancer.