Intervention measures
toxicity, proteinuria, hand and foot syndrome
ADVERSE EVENTS, DISEASE, HYPERTENSION
Eligible patients received apatinib at a starting dose of 500 mg/d and exemestane 25 mg/d on days 1–28 of each 4-week cycle. Apatinib could also be started with 250 mg/d, and then gradually increased to 500 mg/d in one week, as to improve tolerance for the old and infirm patients. A dose reduction of apatinib will be allowed to 250 mg/d. If grade 3/4 hematological toxicity or nonhematologic adverse events (AEs) such as hand and foot syndrome, hypertension, proteinuria, etc occur for the first time, it is recommended to stop the drug temporarily until the AEs relieve or disappear. If grade 3/4 of the above AE occurs again after resuming the drug, the drug can be continued after lowering the dose. If the AEs still persist, the drug will be stopped. The above regimen was performed until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity, or consent withdrawal, whichever came first.