Capecitabine

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
▴ Capecitabine is an orally administered fluoropyrim-idine carbamate used for the treatment of paclitaxel- or anthracycline-refractory breast cancer. ▴ Capecitabine is metabolised via a 3-step process to the active agent fluorouracil. The final step of this process occurs preferentially in malignant tissue. ▴ In patients with paclitaxel-refractory breast cancer receiving capecitabine (2510 mg/m2 /day for 2 weeks of a 3-week cycle) the objective tumour response rate was 20%. Disease progression occurred in 34% of patients and 40% had stable disease. ▴ In this trial, the median duration of response was 241 days. Disease progression or death occurred in 83% of patients, and median time to progression was 93 days. Median survival time was 384 days. ▴ In previously untreated patients with breast cancer, the response rate was higher and time to disease progression was longer after oral capecitabine (2510 mg/m2 /day for 2 weeks of a 3-week cycle) than after intravenous cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil therapy. ▴ In clinical trials, generally gastrointestinal or haematological adverse events were reported most frequently. Other commonly reported events included hand-and-foot syndrome, fatigue, hyperbilirubinaemia, dermatitis and anorexia.