Capecitabine/irinotecan in colorectal cancer: European early-phase data and planned trials.
Capecitabine (Xeloda) and irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar) exhibit single-agent activity in colorectal cancer, have nonoverlapping major toxicities, and exhibit a synergistic effect in tumor xenograft models. European early-phase trials of the combination in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer indicate good response rates across doses tested and manageable toxicities, with available data supporting use of a regimen of oral capecitabine at 1,000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1 to 14 plus IV irinotecan at 250 mg/m2 on day 1 every 21 days in this setting. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer has planned a phase III trial (EORTC 40015) comparing this regimen of capecitabine/irinotecan with infusional fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin plus irinotecan in approximately 700 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The QUASAR (Quick and Simple and Reliable) 2 adjuvant trial will compare 5-FU/leucovorin with capecitabine/irinotecan given over 6 months as adjuvant therapy in patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer. These trials will help define the roles of this combination in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Kerr
David
D
National Translational Cancer Research Network, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005060:Europe; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin