To widen the setting of cancer patients who could benefit from metronomic capecitabine.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of metronomic capecitabine administered at a fixed dose of 1,000 mg daily in three elderly or poor performance status patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric cancer.


METHODS
In this study a pretreated advanced CRC patient (patient 1), a not previously treated advanced gastric cancer patient (patient 2), and a not previously treated advanced rectal cancer patient (patient 3) were given metronomic capecitabine administered at a fixed dose of 1,000 mg daily (day 1-28 continuously). The efficacy was evaluated every 3 months by instrumental evaluation and the treatment was continued until progression of disease or toxicity.


RESULTS
A stable disease was observed in all three patients. The duration of treatment was above 3 months and no major toxicities occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that metronomic capecitabine may be considered a safe and valid treatment option for advanced CRC and gastric cancer patients, both after failure of previous lines of chemotherapy or in front-line when standard chemotherapy is contraindicated, especially when the aim of medical treatment is to achieve disease control and to arrest tumour growth without affecting the patient's quality of life. Nevertheless, further clinical studies, as well as a greater clinical experience are required in order to better define the role of this strategy in medical oncology.
Nannini
Margherita
M
Department of Hematology and Oncology Sciences LA Seragnoli, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. maggie.nannini@gmail.com
Nobili
Elisabetta
E
Di Cicilia
Roberto
R
Brandi
Giovanni
G
Maleddu
Alessandra
A
Pantaleo
Maria A
MA
Biasco
Guido
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069287:Capecitabine; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil