Capecitabine and mitomycin-C in the therapy of pretreated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: single center retrospective study with 36 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of treatment with capecitabine and mitomycin-C (MMC) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer previously treated with at least one chemotherapy regimen for recurrent or metastatic disease.


METHODS
A total of 36 patients (male/female 21/15, median age 62.5 years) with metastatic colorectal cancer were treated with capecitabine and MMC as their second, third or fourth line chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherapy consisted of intravenous MMC 6 mg/m(2) on day 1 plus oral capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1-15 followed by 7-day rest. Treatment courses were repeated every 3 weeks unless there was evidence of progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity.


RESULTS
All 36 patients were evaluable for toxicity and response. A total of 175 cycles were administered (median 4.86, range 3-6). Two (5.6%) patients achieved complete response, 3 (8.3%) partial response, 14 (38.9%) had stable disease and 16 (44.4%) patients progressed. Median time to tumor progression (TTP) was 4.5 months and median overall survival (OS) 13 months. No toxic deaths occurred. Toxicity was mild and easily manageable.


CONCLUSIONS
This retrospective study demonstrated that the combination of capecitabine and MMC is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for patients previously treated for metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer.
Vrdoljak
E
E
Center of Oncology, Medical School Split, Clinical Hospital Split, Split, Croatia. eduard.vrdoljak@st.htnet.hr
Omrcen
T
T
Boban
M
M
Hrepic
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D016685:Mitomycin; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil