title: Capecitabine/oxaliplatin, a safe and active first-line regimen for older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: post hoc analysis of a large phase II study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The tumor-activated fluoropyrimidine capecitabine achieves response rates superior to those of bolus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), with favorable safety and fewer hospitalizations. Capecitabine is also at least as effective as bolus 5-FU/LV in the adjuvant setting, again with a favorable safety profile. Improved outcomes with capecitabine versus bolus 5-FU/LV in the adjuvant setting have been shown in overall trial populations and in patients aged >or= 70 years. Capecitabine/oxaliplatin (XelOx) is a safe and active combination for the first-line treatment of metastatic CRC.
  
  
  METHODS
  This post hoc analysis of a large phase II trial compared data from older and younger patients treated with first-line XelOx: oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1 followed by oral capecitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) twice daily for 14 days every 3 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age of the overall population (N = 96) was 64 years (range, 34-79 years), including 52 younger patients (< 65 years of age) and 44 older patients (>or= 65 years of age). Both age groups received a median of 8 cycles (range, 1-26 cycles) of XelOx. The XelOx regimen had similar high activity in both groups, with response rates of 58% (95% CI, 43%-71%) and 52% (95% CI, 37%-68%) in younger and older patients, respectively. In addition, time to disease progression and overall survival were similar in both groups (P > 0.5 for both outcomes). The XelOx regimen also had a favorable safety profile, with no clinically relevant differences between older and younger patients. The overall incidence of adverse events (including grade 3/4), dose reductions, and withdrawals because of adverse events were similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the context of an aging population, XelOx provides a highly effective and tolerable first-line treatment for patients with metastatic CRC.
authors.affiliation: University of Leeds and Bradford NHS Hospitals Trust, United Kingdom. c.twelves@bradford.ac.uk
authors.forename: Chris J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Twelves
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Butts
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Conroy
authors.forename: Fillippo de
authors.initials: Fd
authors.lastname: Braud
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diaz-Rubio
authors.forename: Josep M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tabernero
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schoffski
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Figer
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brunet
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grossmann
authors.forename: Alberto F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Sobrero
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Van Cutsem
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil