[First-line Xeloda (Capecitabine) treatment for advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine as first-line therapy in patients with advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer.


METHODS
From December 2000 to November 2001, sixty patients with advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer received first-line capecitabine treatment given at a dose of 1250 mg/m(2) twice daily, on days 1 - 14 every 21 days. At least 2 cycles were administered.


RESULTS
The overall response rate was 23.3% with 14 PR, 24 SD (40.0%) and 15 PD. The median survival time was 14.7 months. The survival rate was 63.9% at 12-months and 33.4% at 24-months. Grade III-IV adverse effects were diarrhea in 4 patients (6.6%), anemia in 2 (3.3%) and hand-foot syndrome (HFS) in 1 (1.7%); Grade I-II adverse effects were hyperpigmentation in 20 (33.3%), HFS in 18 (30.0%) and diarrhea in 10 (16.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Capecitabine is an efficacious and better-tolerated alternative treatment for the patients with advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer.
Guan
Zhong-zhen
ZZ
Department of Internal Medicine of Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China. zzguan@21cn.com
Liu
Dong-geng
DG
Yu
Bao-ming
BM
Wu
Wei-qin
WQ
Shi
De
D
Zhao
Yu
Y
Wei
Yu-quan
YQ
Zou
Li-qun
LQ
Wu
Xiao-ding
XD
Zhuang
Wen
W
Feng
Feng-yi
FY
Zhang
Pin
P
Yu
Shi-ying
SY
Xiong
Hui-hua
HH
Fu
Qiang
Q
Zheng
Shu
S
Huang
Jian-jin
JJ
Wu
Gang
G
Yang
Chuan-yong
CY
Sun
Sheng-rong
SR
Ruan
Qing-lan
QL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil