title: A phase-II study of combination of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and capecitabine in locally advanced or metastatic renal cell cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Combination of capecitabine and interferon has shown activity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Pegylated interferons might have more clinical activity and fewer side effects. This study evaluated the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the combination of capecitabine and pegylated interferon alfa-2a.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this open label, single institution, non-randomized phase-II first-line study, 26 patients were included. Capecitabine was administered 2,000 mg/m(2) daily for 14 days followed by 1 week rest. Pegylated interferon alfa-2a was given once as weekly injections with a fixed dose of 180 microg. Overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rates were evaluated; safety and tolerability were monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response rate was 27, with 4% complete responses. Stable disease was achieved in 42%. The treatment discontinued in 4 (15%) patients before first response evaluation because of toxicity. The median progression-free survival was 7.5 months; the median overall survival was 17 months. Grades 3-4 toxicity was seen in 46% of patients, but in 93% of cycles no serious toxicity was experienced. Dose reductions had to be done, but in 81% of cycles intensity of 70% or more was possible. Quality of life was better in cycle five than in the base line.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination had moderate, but manageable toxicity. In the future studies, lower dose for capecitabine is recommended. The combination was active and the response rates seen here were in line with phase-II studies on former combinations of non-pegylated interferons. One complete remission was achieved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Tampere University Hospital, P.O. Box 2000, 33521 Tampere, Finland. kaisa.sunela@pshp.fi
authors.forename: Kaisa Leea
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Sunela
authors.forename: Sanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koskinen
authors.forename: Pirkko-Liisa
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Kellokumpu-Lehtinen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000069287:Capecitabine; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a; D005472:Fluorouracil