Comparing Capecitabine and Fluorouracil in Advanced Oesophagogastric Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Sumpter K, Harper-Wynne C, Cunningham D, Rao S, Tebbutt N, Norman A R, Ward C, Iveson T, Nicolson M, Hickish T, Hill M, Oates J
Primary Institution: Royal Marsden NHS Trust
Hypothesis
What is the optimal dose of capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil for patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer?
Conclusion
The optimal dose of capecitabine is 625 mg/m² b.i.d., which shows similar efficacy to fluorouracil with manageable toxicity.
Supporting Evidence
- Grade 3/4 fluoropyrimidine-related toxicity was 5.1% for capecitabine 500 mg/m² b.i.d.
- Grade 3/4 fluoropyrimidine-related toxicity was 14.7% for capecitabine 625 mg/m² b.i.d.
- Combined complete and partial response rates were 31% for ECF, 39% for EOF, 35% for ECX, and 48% for EOX.
Takeaway
Doctors are trying to find the best dose of a medicine called capecitabine for patients with stomach cancer, and they found that a higher dose works well without causing too many side effects.
Methodology
The study used a two by two randomisation to compare capecitabine with fluorouracil and oxaliplatin with cisplatin in patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer.
Limitations
The study is ongoing and the final analysis will provide more comprehensive survival data.
Participant Demographics
Patients with histologically verified locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma, squamous cell or undifferentiated carcinoma of the oesophagus, oesophagogastric junction, or stomach.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 18.7–46.3 for ECF, 95% CI 25.9–53.1 for EOF, 95% CI 21.4–50.3 for ECX, 95% CI 33.3–62.8 for EOX
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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