Premium
Randomized multicenter Phase II trial of two different schedules of irinotecan combined with capecitabine as first‐line treatment in metastatic colorectal carcinoma
Author(s) -
Bajetta Emilio,
Di Bartolomeo Maria,
Mariani Luigi,
Cassata Antonio,
Artale Salvatore,
Frustaci Sergio,
Pinotti Graziella,
Bonetti Andrea,
Carreca Ignazio,
Biasco Guido,
Bonaglia Luigi,
Marini Giovanni,
Iannelli Antonio,
Cortinovis Diego,
Ferrario Ermina,
Beretta Elena,
Lambiase Antonio,
Buzzoni Roberto
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.11910
Subject(s) - medicine , irinotecan , capecitabine , oncology , colorectal cancer , randomized controlled trial , cancer
BACKGROUND The aim of the current randomized Phase II study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine combined with irinotecan as first‐line treatment in metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC). METHODS A total of 140 patients received capecitabine at a dose of 1250 mg/m 2 twice daily on Days 2–15 and irinotecan at a dose of either 300 mg/m 2 on Day 1 (Arm A) or 150 mg/m 2 on Days 1 and 8 (Arm B) every 3 weeks. During the course of the study, enrollment was continued using lower doses of capecitabine (1000 mg/m 2 twice daily) and irinotecan (Arm A: 240 mg/m 2 ; Arm B: 120 mg/m 2 ) to improve the safety profile of the combinations. RESULTS Efficacy was evaluable in 134 patients (68 in Arm A, 66 in Arm B). Objective responses were observed in 46% of the patients (8% complete response [CR]), including 47% in Arm A (9% CR; 38% partial response [PR]) and 44% in Arm B (8% CR; 36% PR). The median progression‐free survival was 8.3 months in Arm A and 7.6 months in Arm B. Among the first 52 patients treated with the higher doses, the most frequent Grade 3–4 adverse event was diarrhea (27%). The lower doses adopted in the subsequent 88 patients led to better diarrhea control, particularly in Arm A, and significant reductions in the incidence of all‐grade hand‐foot syndrome and abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS The capecitabine and irinotecan combination was a highly active first‐line therapy in metastatic CRC. An acceptable safety profile was observed after dose reduction, particularly when irinotecan was administered on 1 day. Cancer 2004;100:279–87. © 2003 American Cancer Society.