Toxicity associated with capecitabine plus oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer before and after an institutional policy of capecitabine dose reduction.
BACKGROUND
Capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) is an established treatment option in colorectal cancer, but can be associated with severe toxicities.


METHODS
Following reporting of severe diarrhoea and dehydration with capecitabine 2000 mg m(-2) per day plus oxaliplatin every 3 weeks (CAPOX 2000) in 2006, we instituted a policy change to reduce capecitabine dose to 1700 mg m(-2) per day (CAPOX 1700). We undertook a retrospective analysis comparing toxicities encountered before and after this dose change.


RESULTS
Of the 400 patients treated, no significant differences were seen between the CAPOX 2000 and CAPOX 1700 in grades 3 and 4 diarrhoea (21% vs 19%; P=0.80), stomatitis (0% vs 1%; P=0.50) or grades 2-4 hand foot syndrome (16% vs 11%; P=0.18). Grades 3 and 4 neutropenia (9.5% vs 3.5%; P=0.03) and all grades hyperbilirubinaemia (60% vs 40%; P<0.0001) were significantly reduced with CAPOX 1700. Rates of hospitalisation due to toxicities were not different between two groups (13% vs 11%; P=0.53).


CONCLUSIONS
No clinically or statistically significant differences in gastrointestinal toxicities or hospitalisation rate were seen after reducing our routine capecitabine dose from CAPOX 2000 to CAPOX 1700.
Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, London & Surrey, UK.
R
R
Baird
A
A
Biondo
V
V
Chhaya
J
J
McLachlan
A
A
Karpathakis
S
S
Rahman
Y
Y
Barbachano
D
D
Cunningham
I
I
Chau
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil