Two Doses of oxaliplatin with capecitabine (XELOX) in metastatic colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE

Phase II/III studies have shown XELOX to be as effective as FOLFOX in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). The study was designed to evaluate the activity and tolerability of XELOX in CRC. In August 2002, we began a prospective study of XELOX as first-line therapy for patients with metastatic CRC. Twenty-two patients were enrolled between November 2002 and August 2003 (series I). An interim analysis performed in August 2003 revealed that 32% of patients required a dose reduction of oxaliplatin because of toxicity. From August 2003 to April 2005, an additional 20 patients were included (series II). This second group of patients received oxaliplatin at a lower dose.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The first 22 patients (series I) included received oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) on day 1 plus capecitabine 2000 mg/m(2) daily on days 1-15 (3-week cycle). The second set of 20 patients (series II) received oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) on day 1; the dose of capecitabine and the frequency of administration were not modified.

RESULTS

Patient characteristics were well balanced in the 2 series. Overall response (series I vs. II): 41% vs. 65%; median time to progression was similar: 10.51 vs. 10.92 (log-rank test, P = .79). Median survival was similar in the 2 series: 19.55 vs. 21.18 months (log-rank test, P = .61). Grade 3/4 toxicity (series I vs. II): peripheral neuropathy, 14% vs. 0 (P = .23).

CONCLUSION

In patients with advanced CRC, in combination with capecitabine, oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) is as effective with lower toxicity when compared with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2).