Capecitabine as second-line treatment for metastatic cholangiocarcinoma: a report of two cases.
BACKGROUND
The management of recurrent, metastatic cholangiocarcinoma still remains a problem since this tumor entity is classified as chemotherapy-resistant. When advanced or metastatic disease is diagnosed, the therapeutic efforts are essentially directed toward palliation.


METHODS
We report on 2 patients suffering from metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. Both had received previous chemotherapy for metastatic disease, including hepatic artery infusion [5-fluorouracil (5-FU) / folinic acid (FA) and oxaliplatin] and a combination therapy consisting of 5-FU/FA and gemcitabine. Since a progression of the disease was diagnosed, both patients were started on oral capecitabine at a daily dose of 2,500 mg/m(2) in 2 divided doses for 2 weeks, followed by 1 week rest.


RESULTS
Capecitabine was tolerated well and severe side effects were not observed. A stop of progression, documented by imaging procedures and tumor marker kinetics, was achieved in both patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Capecitabine could potentially be used for secondline treatment in patients with progressive metastatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Stemmler
J
J
Abteilung für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinik München, Germany. joachim.stemmler@med3.med.uni-muenchen.de
Heinemann
V
V
Schalhorn
A
A
D000368:Aged; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D000069287:Capecitabine; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019233:Retreatment
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil