title: Metronomic Capecitabine Effectively Blocks Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis From Breast Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND Meningeal carcinomatosis is a rare complication in breast cancer patients. At present, there are no defined guidelines for its management. The efficacy of systemic treatment seems to depend on its ability to cross the blood-brain-barrier and its interaction with tumor vasculature. Metronomic chemotherapy is a known modality of drug administration able to inhibit tumor angiogenesis. CASE REPORT We present a case of symptomatic leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from breast cancer successfully treated with capecitabine. Based on the hypothesis that angiogenesis contributes to neoplastic meningitis, the patient was treated with a metronomic schedule that provided long-term clinical benefit with a very low toxicity profile. CONCLUSIONS To assess the real impact of metronomic chemotherapy in patients with meninges involvement, a phase II study will be starting soon in our institution. A review of the literature concerning the management of meningeal carcinomatosis is also presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maur
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Omarini
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piacentini
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pettorelli
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cascinu
mesh_terms: D059250:Administration, Metronomic; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D000069287:Capecitabine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055756:Meningeal Carcinomatosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000069287:Capecitabine