Ischemic colitis after capecitabine plus cisplatin treatment in advanced gastric cancer

The Interplay between Medical Plants and Gut Microbiota in Cancer

The gut microbiota is a dynamic community of bacteria distributed in the gastroenteric tract and changes in response to diseases, diet, use of antibiotics and probiotics, hygiene status, and other environmental factors. Dysbiosis, a disruption of the normal crosstalk between the host and the microbes, is associated with obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, is linked to a reduction of anti-inflammatory bacteria like Lactobacillus and Roseburia, and to an increase in the growth of proinflammatory species like Ruminococcus gnavus and Bacteroidetes. Some plants possess anticancer properties and various studies have reported that some of these are also able to modulate the gut microbiota. The aim of this work is to evaluate the crucial relationship between medical plants and gut microbiota and the consequences on the onset and progression of cancer. In vivo studies about hematological malignancies showed that beta-glucans tie to endogenous antibeta glucan antibodies and to iC3b, an opsonic fragment of the central complement protein C3, leading to phagocytosis of antibody-targeted neoplastic cells and potentiation of the cytotoxic activity of the innate immune system if administered together with monoclonal antibodies. In conclusion, this review suggests the potential use of medical plants to improve gut dysbiosis and assist in the treatment of cancer.

Capecitabine-associated enterocolitis: Narrative literature review of a rare adverse event and a case presentation

Capecitabine is an oral 5-fluorouracil prodrug with antimetabolite activity commonly used in advanced colorectal and breast cancer. It presents with a generally good toxicity profile and most of the adverse events can be managed effectively. Enterocolitis is a rare, under-reported, but potentially fatal adverse event associated with capecitabine use. To the best of our knowledge, there are 21 cases of capecitabine-related enterocolitis reported in the literature. We herein present a narrative literature review of enteritis/colitis cases associated with capecitabine use, with highlight to the most common clinical presentation, common imaging and microscopic findings and management approach. We furthermore present a case of severe capecitabine-related enteritis.

Clostridium difficile Infection During Palliative Capecitabine Chemotherapy: A Case Report

Capecitabine has been used for triple-negative metastatic breast cancers both as monotherapy and in combination with other agents. However, its gastrointestinal side effects are one of the biggest challenges for its patient compliance, and often result in permanent drug withdrawal. There have been reports of it causing enterocolitis (mainly terminal ileitis) and even ischaemic colitis, but it has not frequently been directly associated with Clostridium difficile infection. We describe a case of a 65-year-old woman with triple-negative breast cancer on palliative capecitabine who presented with blood-streaked watery diarrhea and abdominal pain and was diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced severe colitis with superimposed Clostridium difficile infection. 

Severe ileum bleeding following adjuvant capecitabine chemotherapy for locally advanced colon cancer: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Capecitabine is a prodrug that is enzymatically converted to its active form, fluorouracil (also called 5-fluorouracil), which is commonly used as adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients. Severe gastrointestinal bleeding induced by capecitabine is rare. Here, we are presenting the first case report of surgery specimen assisted diagnosis of this uncommon condition.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 63-year-old Chinese male with a history of colon adenocarcinoma and right hemicolectomy presented with severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding 2 days after finishing capecitabine administration during the first cycle of XELOX adjuvant chemotherapy. Because of the negative findings of active bleeding points by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or colonoscopy, emergency laparotomy and partial enterectomy were performed. The bloody diarrhea had resolved after surgery and a terminal ileitis was diagnosed after pathological examination of the surgical specimen.

CONCLUSIONS

Terminal ileitis induced by capecitabine is likely to be underreported. It should be considered more often as a cause of severe gastrointestinal bleeding during or after treatment with capecitabine agents. Emergency surgery may achieve satisfactory outcomes if endoscopic hemostasis is ineffective.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS CASE

1. Gastrointestinal bleeding following capecitabine treatment in colorectal cancer patients might be life-threatening. 2. Terminal ileitis induced by capecitabine should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe gastrointestinal bleeding. 3. Awareness of the risk factors such as deficiency of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, advanced age, or right colectomy may aid in reducing capecitabine-related morbidity. 4. When severe bleeding occurs, emergency surgery may achieve satisfactory outcomes if medical and endoscopic interventions are ineffective.

Severe Colitis Caused by Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy with Cisplatin for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A 78-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 11 years prior to presentation. He was diagnosed with multiple intrahepatic recurrences of HCC with portal vein invasion and received hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with cisplatin. He developed abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood-stained stool following treatment. Computed tomography revealed significant bowel wall thickening throughout the colon. Colonoscopy revealed reddish edematous mucosa with a reduced vascular pattern without ischemic changes. Conservative treatment with total parenteral nutrition improved his condition and his imaging findings. This is the first report of severe colitis following HAIC with cisplatin.