title: The use of capecitabine in the combined-modality therapy for rectal cancer.
abstract: Locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma is treated by combined-modality therapy, which consists of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. A series of randomized trials established a preferred treatment sequence of preoperative radiation therapy and 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)-based chemotherapy, total mesorectal excision, and adjuvant 5-FU-based chemotherapy for patients with stage II/III disease. Capecitabine is an oral prodrug of 5-FU that has potential advantages compared with intravenous 5-FU, including ease of administration and potentially increased therapeutic effect. Capecitabine is converted by a 3-step enzymatic process; the last step involves the enzyme thymidine phosphorylase, which is overexpressed in tumor tissues and is stimulated by concurrent radiation therapy. Over the past 5 years, several phase I/II trials of capecitabine-based therapy were reported. This review discusses the evolution of combined-modality therapy for rectal cancer with specific attention given to the use of capecitabine in conjunction with radiation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. sliauw@radonc.uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Stanley L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Liauw
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Minsky
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase / Q000187:drug effects; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D000069287:Capecitabine; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil