Capecitabine plus irinotecan versus 5-FU/leucovorin plus irinotecan in the treatment of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The XELIRI regimen and FOLFIRI regimen are used as the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. A comparison of findings from different studies that examined the efficacy and safety of these 2 regimens often show conflicting results. This metaanalysis compared the XELIRI and FOLFIRI regimens in the treatment of mCRC.


METHODS
Six studies comparing the safety and efficacy of XELIRI- and FOLFIRI-based treatment of mCRC were identified from MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar (until January 31, 2013) databases.


RESULTS
No significant difference in ORR, PFS, or OS between XELIRI and FOLFIRI as first-line therapy in patients with colorectal cancer was found in this analysis. Except for XELIRI being associated with a higher incidence of diarrhea, both treatment regimens had similar safety profiles.


CONCLUSIONS
Both XELIRI and FOLFIRI regimens had similar efficacy as first-line treatment in patients with mCRC with similar adverse event profiles. Our findings suggest that XELIRI and FOLFIRI are appropriate first-line treatment options for mCRC patients.
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Yuanbiao
Y
Guo
Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Min
M
Shi
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Xiaoheng
X
Shen
Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Chen
C
Yang
Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Liu
L
Yang
Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: jun_zj10977@163.com.
Jun
J
Zhang
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069287:Capecitabine; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin
Antineoplastic protocols; Colorectal neoplasms; Combination drug therapy; Neoplasm metastasis; Randomized controlled trial