Biweekly XELOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) as first-line treatment in elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The combination of oxaliplatin and oral capecitabine (XELOX) has shown to be an active regimen in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). However, the experience with XELOX in elderly patients is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of XELOX as first-line treatment in elderly patients with MCRC.


METHODS
Patients aged ≥70years with previously untreated MCRC received oxaliplatin 85mg/m(2) on day 1, every 2weeks plus capecitabine 1000mg/m(2) (or capecitabine 750mg/m(2) if creatinine clearance was 30-50mL/min) twice daily on days 1-7, every 2weeks. Treatment was continued until progression, intolerable toxicity, or for a maximum of 12cycles.


RESULTS
Thirty-five patients were enrolled. Median age was 78years (range, 70-83). Patients received a median of 11cycles of treatment. The objective response rate (ORR) was 49% and the tumor control rate was 86%. Median time to progression and overall survival were 8.6 (95% CI: 5.5-11.7) and 15.5 (95% CI: 9.6-21.3) months, respectively. Toxicities were generally mild to moderate. Major grade 1-2 toxicities were asthenia (40%), nausea (43%), and diarrhea (40%). No grade 4 toxicity was detected and grade 3 toxicities were reported in 17% of patients. There was no treatment-related death.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that the biweekly XELOX regimen represents an effective and tolerable first-line treatment option for elderly patients with MCRC.
Department of medical oncology, Hospital Meixoeiro, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Spain. Electronic address: carlos.grande.ventura@sergas.es.
Carlos
C
Grande
Guillermo
G
Quintero
Sonia
S
Candamio
Lorena
L
París Bouzas
María José
MJ
Villanueva
Begoña
B
Campos
Elena
E
Gallardo
Elena
E
Alvarez
Joaquín
J
Casal
José Ramón
JR
Mel
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000069287:Capecitabine; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003404:Creatinine / Q000032:analysis; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008297:Male; D010071:Oxaloacetates
D010071:Oxaloacetates; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D000077146:Irinotecan; D003404:Creatinine; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin