Capecitabine (Xeloda) as monotherapy in advanced breast and colorectal cancer: effectiveness and side-effects

Capecitabine (Xeloda) is a fluoropyrimidine which is transformed to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) at the tumor site. The aim of the present study was to estimate the efficacy of this agent in pretreated patients with advanced breast and colorectal cancer, and to determine the response rate and adverse reactions.

Forty-two patients (median age 65 years, range 27-80 years), 24 with breast cancer, 17 with colorectal cancer and one with a pancreatic islet tumor were included. Capecitabine was administered at a dose of 1200 mg/m2 twice daily for two weeks every 21 days. No other agent or supportive treatment was planned.

A partial response was observed in 29.16% of the patients with breast cancer and in 11.76% of the patients with colorectal cancer. Stable disease was observed in 58.33% and 70.59% of the breast cancer and colorectal patients, respectively. Adverse reactions were very mild with respect to myelotoxicity and GI tract toxicity. Grade 3 hand-foot syndrome was observed in three patients (7.14%). Hypertriglyceridemia, an unusual side-effect, was observed in 5/12 patients who were tested for serum cholesterol triglycerides.

Capecitabine is a well tolerated treatment with low toxicity, rendering a partial response in 29.16% and 11.76% of patients with breast and colorectal cancer, respectively.