Multicenter phase II study of oral capecitabine (Xeloda(")) in patients with metastatic breast cancer relapsing after treatment with a taxane-containing therapy

A Phase I Trial of Alpelisib Combined With Capecitabine in Patients With HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Alpelisib is an oral α-specific class I PI3K inhibitor approved in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of PIK3CA-mutated hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer. The tolerability of this drug with the oral chemotherapy capecitabine is unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This phase I trial evaluated the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of alpelisib (250 mg or 300 mg daily for 3-weeks) with capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 twice daily for 2-weeks followed by a 1-week rest period) in patients with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer, regardless of PIK3CA mutation status.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients were treated with alpelisib-capecitabine. Half of the patients had HR+ breast cancer, and 16 had prior systemic therapy for metastatic disease. The MTD of alpelisib was 250 mg daily in combination with capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily. DLTs included hyperglycemia, QTc prolongation, fatigue, and chest pain. The most common grade 3 adverse event (AE) was hyperglycemia (28%). No grade 4 AEs were observed. Three patients discontinued therapy due to an AE. One-third of patients required dose reduction of both alpelisib and capecitabine. Four patients experienced a partial response and 8 patients experienced stable disease. The median progression-free survival was 9.7 months (95% CI 2.8-13.5 months) and median overall survival was 18.2 months (95% CI 7.2-35.2 months). Twelve patients had PIK3CA mutation testing completed, of these 2 had known or likely deleterious PIK3CA mutation.

CONCLUSION

This study provides safety data for an oral combination therapy of alpelisib-capecitabine and defines tolerable doses for further study.

Phase II study of trifluridine/tipiracil in metastatic breast cancers with or without prior exposure to fluoropyrimidines

BACKGROUND

Fluoropyrimidines are commonly used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) has shown activity in patients with colorectal and gastric cancers despite prior exposure to fluoropyrimidines. We investigate the role of FTD/TPI in patients with MBC with or without prior fluoropyridines in a single-arm phase II study.

METHODS

Patients with MBC were enroled first into a run-in dose confirmation phase, followed by two parallel cohorts including patients with (Cohort A) and without (Cohort B) prior exposure to fluoropyrimidines, where they were treated with FTD/TPI. Primary objectives for each cohort included determination of progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary objectives included determination of objective response rates (ORR), safety, and tolerability.

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients (42 Cohort A, 32 Cohort B) were enroled, all of whom were evaluable for toxicity and survival, with 72 evaluable for response. Median PFS was 5.7 months (95% confidence interval 3.8-8.3) and 9.4 months (95% CI 5.5-14.0) respectively in Cohorts A and B. Responses were observed regardless of prior exposure to fluoropyrimidines, with ORR of 19.5% (95% CI 8.8-34.9) and 16.1% (95% CI 5.5-33.7) in Cohorts A and B, and 6-month clinical benefit rates of 56.1% (95% CI 39.7-71.5) and 61.3% (95% CI 42.2-78.2) respectively. The safety profile was consistent with known toxicities of FTD/TPI, including neutropenia, fatigue, nausea, and anorexia, mitigated with dose modifications.

CONCLUSION

FTD/TPI showed promising antitumour activity with manageable toxicity and is a clinically valid option in patients with MBC.

Cost-Effectiveness of Pharmacologic Treatment Options for Women With Endocrine-Refractory or Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

Treatments for endocrine-refractory or triple-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC) are modestly effective at prolonging life and improving quality of life but can be extremely expensive. Given these tradeoffs in quality of life and cost, the optimal choice of treatment sequencing is unclear. Cost-effectiveness analysis can explicitly quantify such tradeoffs, enabling more informed decision making. Our objective was to estimate the societal cost-effectiveness of different therapeutic alternatives in the first- to third-line sequences of single-agent chemotherapy regimens among patients with endocrine-refractory or triple-negative mBC.

METHODS

Using three dynamic microsimulation models of 10,000 patients each, three cohorts were simulated, based upon prior chemotherapy exposure: (1) unexposed to either taxane or anthracycline, (2) taxane- and anthracycline-exposed, and (3) taxane-exposed/anthracycline-naive. We focused on the following single-agent chemotherapy regimens as reasonable and commonly used options in the first three lines of therapy for each cohort, based upon feedback from oncologists treating endocrine-refractory or triple-negative mBC: (1) for taxane- and anthracycline-unexposed patients, paclitaxel, capecitabine (CAPE), or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin; (2) for taxane- and anthracycline-exposed patients, Eribulin, CAPE, or carboplatin; and (3) for taxane-exposed/anthracycline-naive patients, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, CAPE, or Eribulin.

RESULTS

In each cohort, accumulated quality-adjusted life-years were similar between regimens, but total societal costs varied considerably. Sequences beginning first-line treatment with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and CAPE, respectively, for cohorts 1, 2, and 3, had lower costs and similar or slightly better outcomes compared with alternative options.

CONCLUSION

In this setting where multiple single-agent chemotherapy options are recommended by clinical guidelines and share similar survival and adverse event trajectories, treatment sequencing approaches that minimize costs early may improve the value of care.

Oncological Treatment-Related Fatigue in Oncogeriatrics: A Scoping Review

Fatigue is a highly prevalent symptom in both cancer patients and the older population, and it contributes to quality-of-life impairment. Cancer treatment-related fatigue should thus be included in the risk/benefit assessment when introducing any treatment, but tools are lacking to a priori estimate such risk. This scoping review was designed to report the current evidence regarding the frequency of fatigue for the different treatment regimens proposed for the main cancer indications, with a specific focus on age-specific data, for the following tumors: breast, ovary, prostate, urothelium, colon, lung and lymphoma. Fatigue was most frequently reported using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE) versions 3 to 5. A total of 324 regimens were analyzed; data on fatigue were available for 217 (67%) of them, and data specific to older patients were available for 35 (11%) of them; recent pivotal trials have generally reported more fatigue grades than older studies, illustrating increasing concern over time. This scoping review presents an easy-to-understand summary that is expected to provide helpful information for shared decisions with patients regarding the anticipation and prevention of fatigue during each cancer treatment.

Randomized Phase II Study of Two Doses of Pixantrone in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer (NCCTG N1031, Alliance)

BACKGROUND

Anthracycline use in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is hindered by cumulative exposure limits and risk of cardiotoxicity. Pixantrone, a novel aza-anthracenedione with structural similarities to mitoxantrone and anthracyclines, is theorized to exhibit less cardiotoxicity, mainly due to lack of iron binding. We conducted a randomized phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2 dosing schedules of pixantrone in patients with refractory HER2-negative MBC.

METHODS

Intravenous pixantrone was administered at 180 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (group A) versus 85 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle (group B). Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) and secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), median 6-month PFS, overall survival (OS), safety, quality of life, and serial assessment of circulating tumor cells. A 20% ORR was targeted as sufficient for further testing of pixantrone in this patient population.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were evaluable, with 2 confirmed partial responses in group A and 1 in group B. The trial was terminated due to insufficient activity. Overall median PFS and OS were 2.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.0-4.1) and 16.8 (95% CI: 8.9-21.6) months, respectively. Notable overall grade 3-4 adverse events were the following: neutrophil count decrease (62%), fatigue (16%), and decrease in ejection fraction (EF) (4%).

CONCLUSION

Pixantrone has insufficient activity in the second- and third-line MBC setting. It appears, however, to have limited cardiotoxicity. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01086605).

Capecitabine in combination with bendamustine in pretreated women with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: results of a phase II trial (AGMT MBC-6)

Background:

Bendamustine, a medication approved for the treatment of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, has already shown anticancer activity in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Here, we present the results of a phase II trial of bendamustine in combination with capecitabine in pre-treated patients with MBC.

Patients and methods:

AGMT MBC-6 is a multicentre, open-label, single-arm phase II study in HER2-negative MBC. All patients were pre-treated with anthracyclines and/or taxans and had measurable disease. Patients received per os 1000 mg/m² capecitabine twice daily on days 1 to 14 in combination with 80 mg/m² bendamustine intravenously on days 1 and 8 of a 3-week cycle for a maximum of eight cycles, followed by a capecitabine maintenance therapy. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR).

Results:

From September 2013 to May 2015, 40 patients were recruited in eight Austrian centres. The median age was 60 years (range 29–77). Twenty-five per cent of patients had triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and 93% showed visceral involvement. With 17 partial and one complete remission, ORR was 46%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.1–10.7]. The most common non-haematological adverse events (AEs) of grade 3 were hand-foot syndrome (13%), fatigue (10%), nausea (8%), and dyspnoea (8%). One grade 4 non-haematological AE (hepatic failure) and three grade 4 haematological AEs (neutropenia) were observed. One patient died of restrictive cardiomyopathy, in which a relationship to capecitabine cannot be excluded, but seems unlikely.

Conclusion:

The combination of capecitabine and bendamustine shows promising efficacy and moderate toxicity. Further evaluation of this drug combination is warranted.

The clinical trial AGMT MBC-6 was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, (https://clinicaltrials.gov/; identifier: NCT01891227).

The Place of Chemotherapy in The Evolving Treatment Landscape for Patients With HR-positive/HER2-negative MBC

Endocrine therapy (ET) for the treatment of patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR-positive/HER2-negative) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has changed markedly over recent years with the emergence of new ETs and the use of molecularly targeted agents. Cytotoxic chemotherapy continues, however, to have an important role in these patients and it is important to maximize its efficacy while minimizing toxicity to optimize outcomes. This review examines current HR-positive/HER2-negative MBC clinical guidelines and addresses key questions around the use of chemotherapy in the face of emerging therapeutic options. Specifically, the indications for chemotherapy in patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative MBC and the choice of optimal chemotherapy are discussed.

Effect of Capecitabine Maintenance Therapy Using Lower Dosage and Higher Frequency vs Observation on Disease-Free Survival Among Patients With Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Who Had Received Standard Treatment: The SYSUCC-001 Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Among all subtypes of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer has a relatively high relapse rate and poor outcome after standard treatment. Effective strategies to reduce the risk of relapse and death are needed.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of low-dose capecitabine maintenance after standard adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Randomized clinical trial conducted at 13 academic centers and clinical sites in China from April 2010 to December 2016 and final date of follow-up was April 30, 2020. Patients (n = 443) had early-stage triple-negative breast cancer and had completed standard adjuvant chemotherapy.

INTERVENTIONS

Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to receive capecitabine (n = 222) at a dose of 650 mg/m2 twice a day by mouth for 1 year without interruption or to observation (n = 221) after completion of standard adjuvant chemotherapy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was disease-free survival. Secondary end points included distant disease-free survival, overall survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Among 443 women who were randomized, 434 were included in the full analysis set (mean [SD] age, 46 [9.9] years; T1/T2 stage, 93.1%; node-negative, 61.8%) (98.0% completed the trial). After a median follow-up of 61 months (interquartile range, 44-82), 94 events were observed, including 38 events (37 recurrences and 32 deaths) in the capecitabine group and 56 events (56 recurrences and 40 deaths) in the observation group. The estimated 5-year disease-free survival was 82.8% in the capecitabine group and 73.0% in the observation group (hazard ratio [HR] for risk of recurrence or death, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.42-0.95]; P = .03). In the capecitabine group vs the observation group, the estimated 5-year distant disease-free survival was 85.8% vs 75.8% (HR for risk of distant metastasis or death, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.38-0.92]; P = .02), the estimated 5-year overall survival was 85.5% vs 81.3% (HR for risk of death, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.47-1.19]; P = .22), and the estimated 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival was 85.0% vs 80.8% (HR for risk of locoregional recurrence or death, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.46-1.13]; P = .15). The most common capecitabine-related adverse event was hand-foot syndrome (45.2%), with 7.7% of patients experiencing a grade 3 event.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among women with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer who received standard adjuvant treatment, low-dose capecitabine maintenance therapy for 1 year, compared with observation, resulted in significantly improved 5-year disease-free survival.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01112826.

Polymorphisms in TYMS for Prediction of Capecitabine-Induced Hand-Foot Syndrome in Chinese Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Purpose

Capecitabine is an extensively used oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil in treatment of colon cancer and is known to cause hand-foot syndrome (HFS). As the target enzyme for capecitabine, thymidylate synthase (TYMS) plays a key role for 5-fluorouracil metabolism and has been associated with some side effects caused by capecitabine. The aim of our study is to identify the possible genetic predictors of capecitabine-induced HFS (CAP-HFS) in Chinese colorectal cancer patients.

Materials and Methods

Whole exons of TYMS were sequenced for 288 extreme phenotype HFS patients, including 144 severe or early-onset (first 2 cycles) moderate HFS extreme cases and 144 extreme controls with no reported HFS. The associations between polymorphisms and CAP-HFS were analyzed using logistic regression under an additive model.

Results

We identified a novel risk mutation (c.1A>G, chr18:657743), was associated with severe HFS in an extreme case who was affected during the first cycle of treatment. Moreover, we identified three new variants, rs3786362, rs699517, rs2790, and two previously reported variants, 5’VNTR 2R/3R and 3′-untranslated region 6-bp ins-del, which were significantly associated with CAP-HFS (p < 0.05). In silico analysis revealed that the effect of these polymorphisms in the TYMS region on the development of HFS might not be restricted solely to the regulation of TYMS expression, but also the TYMS catalytic activity through the indirect effect on ENOSF1 expression.

Conclusion

This study identified new polymorphisms in TYMS gene significantly associated with CAP-HFS, which may serve as useful genetic predictors for CAP-HFS and help to elucidate the underlying mechanism of HFS.

Chemotherapy Options beyond the First Line in HER-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer

Despite the recent advances in the biological understanding of breast cancer (BC), chemotherapy still represents a key component in the armamentarium for this disease. Different agents are available as mono-chemotherapy options in patients with locally advanced or metastatic BC (MBC) who progress after a first- and second-line treatment with anthracyclines and taxanes. However, no clear indication exists on what the best option is in some populations, such as heavily pretreated, elderly patients, triple-negative BC (TNBC), and those who do not respond to the first-line therapy. In this article, we summarize available literature evidence on different chemotherapy agents used beyond the first-line, in locally advanced or MBC patients, including rechallenge with anthracyclines and taxanes, antimetabolite and antimicrotubule agents, such as vinorelbine, capecitabine, eribulin, ixabepilone, and the newest developed agents, such as vinflunine, irinotecan, and etirinotecan.

Combining Adjuvant Radiotherapy With Capecitabine in Chemotherapy-resistant Breast Cancer: Feasibility, Safety, and Toxicity

BACKGROUND

In a randomized trial (CREATE-X), patients with residual disease after standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy had improved survival with the addition of adjuvant capecitabine. For patients who required radiotherapy (RT), capecitabine was given sequentially. Concurrent capecitabine-RT might be more efficacious. We hypothesized that the safety, feasibility, and toxicity of adjuvant capecitabine-RT would not be significantly different compared with adjuvant RT alone.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied the data from patients with stage I-III invasive mammary carcinoma. Patients who had received capecitabine-RT were matched 1:3 with control patients who had received RT alone. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictors of radiation dermatitis.

RESULTS

A total of 64 patients were enrolled, including 16 who had received capecitabine-RT and 48 who had received RT alone. The cohorts were balanced regarding the clinicopathologic factors. No treatment in either cohort resulted in hospitalization, short-term disability, or fatality. Most toxicities of capecitabine-RT were related to radiation dermatitis. Radiation dermatitis was not significantly different between the capecitabine-RT and RT cohort at either grade 2 (odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-4.93; P = .63) or grade 3 (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 0.85-10.63; P = .09) or after multivariable analysis. However, the capecitabine-RT group was more likely to require modifications in the RT schedule, including treatment breaks or cancelled fractions (44% vs. 17%; OR, 3.89; 95% CI, 1.12-13.52; P = .03).

CONCLUSION

Capecitabine-RT appears to be safe in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer with comparable toxicity to RT alone. It might require more treatment adjustments. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of this combination.

Efficacy of different dosing schedules of capecitabine for metastatic breast cancer: a single-institution experience

Purpose Capecitabine is widely used as a single agent on a 21-day cycle in the management of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Our primary objective was to compare the standard dosing of capecitabine (Arm A: days 1-14 on 21-day cycle) to biweekly dosing (Arm B: days 1-7 and 15-21 on 28-day cycle) using retrospective data analysis. Methods 166 patients with MBC treated with single agent capecitabine at The Ohio State University from 2002 to 2014 were considered eligible. Median time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier (KM) methods. KM curves were compared using log-rank tests with Holm's correction for multiplicity. Results Patients were grouped by dose schedule into one of three arms: Arm A (21-day cycle; capecitabine given at 1000 mg/m² orally, twice daily on days 1-14 of 21-day cycle); Arm B (28-day cycle; capecitabine given at 1000 mg/m² orally, twice daily on days 1-7 and 15-21 of 28-day cycle); and Arm C (changeover regimen where patients started on the 21-day cycle, but changed to a 28-day cycle for tolerability). No difference was found in TTF or OS for patients with MBC between those who received capecitabine on either standard dosing (Arm A) and those on a biweekly cycle (Arm B or C). Overall, 41% of patients required dose reduction. Conclusions Our single institution experience showed that alternate dosing of capecitabine (biweekly, 28-day cycle) may be a reasonable alternative to standard 21-day cycle with similar efficacy and fewer dose reductions.

Immune-triggered cancer treatment by intestinal lymphatic delivery of docetaxel-loaded nanoparticle

The maximally tolerated dose (MTD) approach in conventional chemotherapy accompanies adverse effects, primarily due to high drug concentrations in the blood after intravenous administration and non-specific damages to highly proliferating cells, including immune cells. This causes the immune system to dysfunction. To rather boost intrinsic tumor-fighting immune capacity, we demonstrate a new oral route treatment regimen of docetaxel (DTX) without apparent toxicity. The DTX-loaded cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (DSLN-CSG) were coated with an anionic polymer conjugated with glycocholic acid. The resulting nanoparticles (DSLN-CSG, ~120 nm in diameter) were actively absorbed in the distal ileum mediated by interactions with the apical sodium bile acid transporter. The plasma DTX profile was sustained up to 24 h after a single oral dose and did not impair the functions of the immune system. In mouse models, daily oral DSLN-CSG administration inhibited the growth of existing tumors and tumor formation by medication prior to cancer cell inoculation. The extent of effects depended on the cancer cell lines of melanoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, and breast carcinoma. It was most effective for melanoma in growth inhibition and in preventing tumor formation in mice. During the medication, the cytotoxic T cell population increased while the populations of tumor-associated macrophage and regulatory T cell declined. The low dose daily oral treatment may help patients with intermittent maintenance therapy between MTD cycles and prevent tumor recurrence after completing remission for certain tumors.

A phase 1b/2, open-label, dose-escalation, and dose-confirmation study of eribulin mesilate in combination with capecitabine

BACKGROUND

Capecitabine and eribulin are widely used as single agents in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and have nonoverlapping toxicities.

METHODS

In phase 1b (dose escalation), patients with advanced, treatment-refractory, solid tumours received eribulin mesilate intravenously in 21-day cycles according to schedule 1 (day 1) or schedule 2 (days 1, 8) with twice-daily oral capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 days 1-14). In phase 2 (dose confirmation), women with advanced/MBC and ≤3 prior chemotherapies received eribulin mesilate at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) per the preferred schedule plus capecitabine. Primary objectives were MTD and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs; phase 1b) and objective response rate (ORR; phase 2). Secondary objectives included progression-free survival (PFS), safety, and pharmacokinetics.

RESULTS

DLTs occurred in 4/19 patients (schedule 1) and 2/15 patients (schedule 2). Eribulin pharmacokinetics were dose proportional, irrespective of schedule or capecitabine coadministration. The MTD of eribulin was 1.6 mg/m2 day 1 for schedule 1 and 1.4 mg/m2 days 1 and 8 for schedule 2. ORR in phase 2 (eribulin 1.4 mg/m2 days 1, 8 plus capecitabine) was 43% and median PFS 7.2 months. The most common treatment-related adverse events were neutropenia, leukopenia, alopecia, nausea, and lethargy.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of capecitabine and eribulin showed promising efficacy with manageable tolerability in patients with MBC.

Efficacy of capecitabine in patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer with or without prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine: a retrospective study

Purpose

We conducted a retrospective study to assess the outcomes of capecitabine for advanced breast cancer (ABC) after perioperative fluoropyrimidines (FPs).

Methods

The charts of patients with ABC who received capecitabine between 2008 and 2016 at the National Cancer Center Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) were reviewed. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), tumor response, and adverse events (AEs) were compared between two groups: an FP group (prior perioperative FP use) and a non-FP group (no prior FP use).

Results

Overall, 288 patients (FP n = 105; non-FP n = 183) were analyzed. The two groups had similar patient characteristics. The FP group had significantly poorer PFS than the non-FP group (multivariate hazard ratio [HR] 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.73; p = 0.036), although the OS did not differ significantly between the groups (multivariate HR 1.00; 95% CI 0.67–1.50; p = 0.994). With different cut-off values (relapse-free interval [RFI] = 3, 4, and 5 years), multivariate HRs for PFS were 1.32–1.67 (short RFI), and 1.00–1.25 (long RFI). A trend for a larger HR in the FP group compared to the non-FP group with short RFI than in that with long RFI was also seen for OS. Response rate (RR) and disease control rate (DCR) did not differ significantly between the groups (RR in FP vs non-FP 13.8 vs 21.0%; p = 0.173; DCR 54.0 vs 59.9%; p = 0.418). No significant difference in AEs existed between the groups.

Conclusions

Extra caution is needed when capecitabine is considered for patients with ABC who used perioperative FP, especially those who had early recurrence.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00280-018-3617-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Utility of patient-derived lymphoblastoid cell lines as an ex vivo capecitabine sensitivity prediction model for breast cancer patients

Capecitabine is commonly used in treating breast cancer; however, therapeutic response varies among patients and there is no clinically validated model to predict individual outcomes. Here, we investigated whether drug sensitivity quantified in ex vivo patients' blood-derived cell lines can predict response to capecitabine in vivo. Lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) were established from a cohort of metastatic breast cancer patients (n = 53) who were prospectively monitored during treatment with single agent capecitabine at 2000 mg/m²/day. LCLs were treated with increasing concentrations of 5′-DFUR, a major capecitabine metabolite, to assess patients' ex vivo sensitivity to this drug. Subsequently, ex vivo phenotype was compared to observed patient disease response and drug induced-toxicities. We acquired an independent cohort of breast cancer cell lines and LCLs derived from the same donors from ATCC, compared their sensitivity to 5′-DFUR. As seen in the patient population, we observed large inter-individual variability in response to 5′-DFUR treatment in patient-derived LCLs. Patients whose LCLs were more sensitive to 5′-DFUR had a significantly longer median progression free survival (9-month vs 6-month, log rank p-value = 0.017). In addition, this significant positive correlation for 5′-DFUR sensitivity was replicated in an independent cohort of 8 breast cancer cell lines and LCLs derived from the same donor. Our data suggests that at least a portion of the individual sensitivity to capecitabine is shared between germline tissue and tumor tissue. It also supports the utility of patient-derived LCLs as a predictive model for capecitabine treatment efficacy in breast cancer patients.

Intermittent Capecitabine Monotherapy with Lower Dose Intensity in Heavily Pretreated Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Aims and Background

The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of a lower dose-intensity capecitabine monotherapy regimen in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Methods

Patients with metastatic breast cancer who had been administered capecitabine monotherapy between June 2003 and August 2004 at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Oral capecitabine (828 mg/m2) was given twice daily for three weeks followed by a one-week rest period; this was repeated every four weeks.

Results

One-hundred and two patients were assessed. Median follow-up of patients was 16.4 months. One hundred patients (98%) had been pretreated with either anthracyclines or taxanes, 81 patients (79%) with both anthracyclines and taxanes. Response rate was 17% (95% CI, 9-24%), and clinical benefit rate was 41% (95% CI, 32-51%). Median time-to-treatment failure was 4.9 months, and median overall survival time was 24.3 months. This regimen was well tolerated. The most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse event was hand-foot syndrome (6%). Other grade 3 or 4 adverse events were seen in only 1%-3% of patients.

Conclusions

Intermittent capecitabine monotherapy with lower dose intensity achieved a high tumor control rate with low toxicity in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients.

Capecitabine in Elderly Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Aims and background

Capecitabine is the reference treatment for anthracycline-and/or taxane-pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This study examined its efficacy, tolerability and impact on the quality of life of elderly patients with MBC.

Materials and methods

Between January 2002 and December 2009, 75 consecutive elderly patients with MBC received first-line chemotherapy with capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days every 3 weeks. Endpoints were efficacy, tolerability and clinical-benefit response measured every 3 cycles.

Results

Median age was 76 years (range 65–88); median ECOG performance status was 1 (range 0–2); 51 patients (68%) had received adjuvant chemotherapy and all patients had received hormonal therapy. Median exposure was 6 cycles. After 3 cycles, 11 patients (14.7%) had a partial response, one patient experienced a complete response, and 49 patients (65.3%) had stable disease, amounting to a disease control rate of 81.3%. Stable disease was maintained in 45 patients (60%) after 6 cycles, in 21 patients (28%) after 9 cycles, and in 13 patients (17.3%) after 12 cycles. A clinical-benefit response was experienced by 42 patients (56%), indicating a positive impact on quality of life. Treatment was well tolerated, the most common grade 3 events being diarrhea (12%) hand-foot syndrome (8%), and mucositis (8%). Adverse events were managed with dose adjustments and supportive therapy when required.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that capecitabine is active and well tolerated in elderly patients with MBC. This dosing regimen warrants further study in the first-line setting for patients with less aggressive MBC who are not candidates for combination therapy.

Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, and 5-Fluorouracil as Palliative Treatment for Heavily Pretreated Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy beyond standard treatment for anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Methods

We consecutively enrolled 158 MBC patients who underwent CMF chemotherapy in a palliative setting at two academic hospitals in Korea between 2002 and 2016.

Results

The median age of the 158 enrolled patients was 51 years (range, 30-77 years). The enrolled patients were treated with a median of 5 lines of systemic treatment (range, 2-11) before CMF therapy, and the median time from diagnosis of MBC to CMF administration was 36.0 months (range, 7.1-146.7 months). The median number of cycles of CMF treatment was 3 (range, 1-19), and the relative dose intensity was 90.4%. The toxicity profile was mild, with an observed 3.1% of grade 2 and 5.0% of grade 3/4 neutropenia. Among 147 patients (93.0%) whose response to CMF was evaluated, the response rate was 10.9% (16/147), with complete response (CR) in one and partial response (PR) in 15. In addition, the disease control rate (calculated as CR+PR+stable disease) was 44.2% (65/147). The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 3.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-3.6) and 9.4 months (95% CI, 7.1-11.6), respectively.

Conclusion

CMF therapy is effective and tolerable as salvage treatment for heavily pretreated MBC.

Metronomic Capecitabine Effectively Blocks Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis From Breast Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review

Patient: Female, 57

Final Diagnosis: Meningeal carcinomatosis from breast cancer

Symptoms: Seizures

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Oncology

A phase II study of capecitabine plus cisplatin in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes

BACKGROUND

Cisplatin is an effective agent for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and synergistic activity between cisplatin and capecitabine has been demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies. This study was designed as a prospective clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine plus cisplatin (XP) regimen in metastatic TNBC patients pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-three patients with metastatic TNBC who had anthracyclines and taxanes as prior therapy were treated with capecitabine 2000 mg/m(2) orally on day 1 through 14 plus cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1 of a 21-day cycle, followed by capecitabine maintenance medications after a maximum of 6 cycles. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) and the secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity profiles.

RESULTS

A total of 162 cycles was given. ORR was 63.6%. Median PFS was 8.2 (95%CI: 4.8-11.6) months in the entire population and 10.8 (95%CI: 6.5-15.1) months in responding patients. Median OS was 17.8 (95%CI: 14.4-21.2) months in all enrolled patients and 25.8 (95%CI: 14.6-37.0) months in responding patients. Most adverse events were mild and manageable, with neutropenia and nausea/vomiting as the most common toxicities. Grade 3/4 toxicities included leukopenia (10, 30.3%), neutropenia (10, 30.3%), anemia (2, 6.1%), thrombocytopenia (1, 3.0%), nausea/vomiting (3, 9.1%), hand-foot syndrome (HFS; 1, 3.0%), and sensory neuropathy (1, 3.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Capecitabine plus cisplatin demonstrated an excellent activity and an acceptable safety profile in metastatic TNBC patients pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes.

Hormonal therapy might be a better choice as maintenance treatment than capecitabine after response to first-line capecitabine-based combination chemotherapy for patients with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative, metastatic breast cancer

Background

Both hormonal therapy (HT) and maintenance capecitabine monotherapy (MCT) have been shown to extend time to progression (TTP) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) after failure of taxanes and anthracycline-containing regimens. However, no clinical trials have directly compared the efficacy of MCT and HT after response to first-line capecitabine-based combination chemotherapy (FCCT) in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 138 HR-positive and HER2-negative MBC patients who were in non-progression status after FCCT and who were treated between 2003 and 2012 at the Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, in Beijing, China. The median number of first-line chemotherapy cycles was 6 (range, 4–8); combined agents included taxanes, vinorelbine, or gemcitabine. Of these 138 patients, 79 received MCT, and 59 received HT. Single-agent capecitabine was administered at a dose of 1250 mg/m² twice daily for 14 days, followed by a 7-day rest period, repeated every 3 weeks. Of the 59 patients who received HT, 37 received aromatase inhibitors (AIs), 8 received selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), and 14 received goserelin plus either AIs or SERMs. We then compared the MCT group and HT group in terms of treatment efficacy.

Results

With a median follow-up of 43 months, patients in the HT group had a much longer TTP than patients in the MCT group (13 vs. 8 months, P = 0.011). When TTP was adjusted for age, menopausal status, Karnofsky performance status score, disease-free survival, site of metastasis, number of metastatic sites, and response status after FCCT, extended TTP was still observed for patients in the HT group (hazard ratio: 0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.44–0.93; P = 0.020). We also observed a trend of overall survival advantage for patients in the HT group vs. patients in the MCT group, but the difference was not significant (43 vs. 37 months, P = 0.400). In addition, patients in the HT group generally tolerated the treatment well, whereas patients in the MCT group experienced grades 3–4 adverse events, the most frequent of which were hand-foot syndrome (15.8%) and hematologic abnormalities (7.6%).

Conclusion

For HR-positive and HER2-negative MBC patients, HT might be considered a treatment after response to FCCT but prior to MCT as a long-term administration.

Decreased gastrointestinal toxicity associated with a novel capecitabine schedule (7 days on and 7 days off): a systematic review

Capecitabine is widely used in the management of metastatic breast cancer; however, drug delivery is limited by gastrointestinal and other toxicity. We employed mathematical modeling to rationally design an optimized dose and schedule for capecitabine of 2,000 mg twice daily, flat dosing, 7 days on, 7 days off. Preclinical data suggested increased efficacy and tolerability with this novel dosing, and three early-phase clinical trials have suggested a favorable toxicity profile. To further define the tolerability of this regimen, we conducted a systematic review of the gastrointestinal adverse events of patients on these studies. This review demonstrated a favorable gastrointestinal toxicity profile with capecitabine in this novel schedule when given as single agent or in combination therapy with either bevacizumab or lapatinib. No patients discontinued therapy for gastrointestinal toxicity, and there were no grade 4 or 5 gastrointestinal toxicities reported. Grade 3 or greater diarrhea occurred in two (2%); grade 2 or greater mucositis, constipation, and vomiting were reported in three (4%) patients. We conclude that capecitabine administered on a 7 days on, 7 days off schedule has limited gastrointestinal toxicity. Our methodology was based on an analysis of individual patient toxicity data from one phase I single-agent capecitabine and two phase II capecitabine combination studies (with bevacizumab and lapatinib, respectively), focusing specifically on gastrointestinal toxicity.

Chemotherapy options for patients suffering from heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer

The identification of additional chemotherapy agents for anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated advanced breast cancer (ABC) is an urgent medical need. Single agent chemotherapy is most times administered because combined therapy is only associated with modest, if any, improvement in median progression-free survival. Randomized trials failed to show overall survival benefit compared with single agent chemotherapy. We hope to modify the natural history of ABC by the consecutive use of treatments with documented activity in heavily pretreated patients. Quality of life remains an important end point as cure is in general not possible. We first review the activity of the approved and the most frequently used agents in heavily pretreated ABC. Thereafter, the potential role and safety profile of etirinotecan pegol is discussed given the results recently released of a Phase III trial comparing this agent to Treatment of Physician's Choice.

A comparison of toxicity profiles between the lower and standard dose capecitabine in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) bid × 14 days every 21 days (14/21) has been reported to have similar efficacy but more favorable toxicity profile than the approved dosage of 1250 mg/m(2). However, a dose-toxicity relationship of capecitabine in breast cancer patients has not been fully elucidated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare a safety profile between capecitabine starting dose of 1000 and 1250 mg/m(2) bid. Studies were identified using PubMed, ASCO, and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium abstract databases through December 2015. Eligible trials included phase II/III trials of capecitabine monotherapy at 1000 or 1250 mg/m(2) bid (14/21) for breast cancer patients that reported adequate safety data for all (grade 1-4) or high (grade 3-4) grade hand foot syndrome (HFS), diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, or anemia, as well as dose reductions, treatment discontinuation or treatment-related deaths. The summary incidence was calculated using random-effects models. A total of 4833 patients from 34 trials were included. 1218 and 3615 patients were treated with capecitabine 1000 and 1250 mg/m(2) bid, respectively. A significantly lower incidence of dose reduction (15.9 vs. 39.0 %; P = 0.007), high-grade HFS (12.0 vs. 19.0 %; P = 0.01), diarrhea (5.3 vs. 9.1 %; P = 0.01), and neutropenia (1.8 vs. 7.3 %; P < 0.01), and all-grade neutropenia (5.8 vs. 25.4 %; P = 0.01) was seen in capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) compared to 1250 mg/m(2). Capecitabine monotherapy at 1000 mg/m(2) bid (14/21) has a clinically meaningful and significantly better toxicity profile compared to 1250 mg/m(2) bid (14/21).

Efficacy and safety of capecitabine-based first-line chemotherapy in advanced or metastatic breast cancer: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine-based therapy as first-line chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer. Randomised controlled trials of capecitabine monotherapy or combined treatment were included in the meta-analysis. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library database and important meeting summaries were searched systematically. Outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR) and grades 3-4 drug-related adverse events.Nine trials with 1798 patients were included. The results indicated a significant improvement with capecitabine-based chemotherapy compared with capecitabine-free chemotherapy in ORR (relative risk [RR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03 to 1.26, P = 0.013) and PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.77, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.87, P < 0.0001). Overall survival favoured capecitabine-based chemotherapy, but this was not significant. There were more incidences of neutropenia and neutropenic fever in the capecitabine-free chemotherapy group and more vomiting, diarrhoea and hand-foot syndrome in the capecitabine-based chemotherapy group. There were no significant differences in nausea, fatigue, cardiotoxicity or mucositis/stomatitis between the two treatment regimens.Capecitabine-based chemotherapy significantly improves ORR and PFS in patients with advanced breast cancer, but has no demonstrable impact on OS. Capecitabine-based regimens are suitable as first-line treatment for patients with advanced breast cancer.

Combination chemotherapy with mitomycin C and methotrexate is active against metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer even after treatment with anthracycline, taxane, capecitabine, and vinorelbine

Background

Combination chemotherapy with mitomycin C and methotrexate (MM) was reported to be effective for 24% of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who had been treated with anthracycline and taxane. Antimetabolites such as capecitabine and antitubulins such as vinorelbine have been generally used for MBC treatment after anthracycline and taxane. A subsequent choice of chemotherapy should be offered to patients with MBC who have kept good performance status (PS) after being aggressively treated with anthracycline, taxane, capecitabine, and vinorelbine (ATCV), but is not well clear which treatment is superior to others after ATCV. In this study, we examined whether MM treatment is a good choice following ATCV.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 31 patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who were treated with MM following ATCV. One cycle of MM was defined as MMC 8 mg/m² on day 1 and MTX 60 mg/m² on day 1 and day 15, administered intravenously every 4 weeks.

Results

Response rate and clinical benefit rate were 9.7 and 19.4%, respectively. Median times to progression and times to failure were 3.9 and 3.7 months, respectively. Adverse events of grade 3 and/or 4 were observed in 36% patients. Thrombocytopenia of grade 3 or 4 was 12.9 and 3.2%. Grades 3 and 4 of leucopenia and anemia were 12.9 and 9.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

MM is effective and tolerable for MBC patients even after aggressive treatment with ATCV. MM is one treatment choice when patients have kept good PS and bone marrow function even after multiple regimens of chemotherapy.

Randomized study of orally administered fluorinated pyrimidines (capecitabine versus S-1) in women with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer: Japan Breast Cancer Research Network 05 Trial

PURPOSE

Capecitabine and S-1 are orally administered fluorinated pyrimidines with high-level activity against metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This randomized, multicenter, phase II study compared the activities and safeties of the oral fluoropyrimidines, capecitabine and S-1, in breast cancer patients.

METHODS

Patients with MBC were randomly assigned to receive capecitabine 825 g/m(2) twice daily on days 1-21 every 4 weeks or S-1 40-60 mg twice daily, according to body surface area, on days 1-28 every 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

A total of 142 patients were enrolled and randomized to either capecitabine (N = 73) or S-1 (N = 69). Median PFS (progression-free survival) was 1.2 years for capecitabine and 1.3 years for S-1, with a hazard ratio (S-1/capecitabine) of 0.85 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.52-1.38) (P = 0.48 by log-rank). The confirmed objective response rates were 24.0 % for capecitabine and 23.1 % for S-1 (P = 0.938). The most common treatment-related adverse events were grade 1-2 in intensity. Thrombocytopenia (S-1: 9.2 %, capecitabine: 1.4 %; P = 0.040) and nausea (S-1: 26.2 %, capecitabine: 14.1 %; P = 0.079) were more frequent in the S-1 group, while hand-foot syndrome occurred more often in the capecitabine group (S-1: 10.8 %, capecitabine: 25.4 %; P = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study demonstrate that both S-1 and capecitabine are effective and well-tolerated treatments in patients with MBC, while their adverse events were different. They are both convenient, orally administered drugs, making them attractive agents for use in outpatient treatment.

Phase II study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Mannose-Sensitive hemagglutinin in combination with capecitabine for Her-2-negative metastatic breast cancer pretreated with anthracycline and taxane

Purpose

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains an incurable disease despite major therapeutic advances. Pseudomonas aeruginosa–mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin (PA-MSHA) has been established to have anti-proliferative effects against breast cancer cells in preclinical experiments, and is indicated for treatment of cancer in China. We performed a phase II trial combining PA-MSHA with capecitabine in patients with heavily pretreated MBC.

Methods

Eligibility criteria included human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative MBC, prior therapy with anthracyclines and taxanes, at least one prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease or early relapse after a taxane plus anthracycline adjuvant regimen, and adequate organ function and performance status. PA-MSHA 1 mg was administered subcutaneously every other day and capecitabine 1000 mg/m² orally twice a day for 2 weeks on, 1 week off. The primary end point was progression-free survival.

Results

A total of 97 patients were enrolled. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.0 months [95 % confidence interval (CI) 3.0–4.9], which was not significantly different from that in historical controls. However, median PFS was significantly longer (8.2 months; 95 % CI 6.7–9.7) in 24 patients with moderate immune-related adverse events (irAEs) such as fever or skin induration at the injection site than in those with no or mild irAEs (3.1 months, 95 % CI 2.5–3.6; p = 0.003). Overall survival was also improved in these patients (25.4 vs. 16.4 months; p = 0.044). PA-MSHA has a good safety profile, with only 6 patients (6.2 %) discontinuing treatment. PA-MSHA did not increase capecitabine-related toxicities such as hand-foot syndrome, nausea, and vomiting.

Conclusion

Adding PA-MSHA to capecitabine has a good safety profile in patients with heavily pre-treated MBC, although benefit from this regimen might occur only in patients with moderate PA-MSHA–related adverse events.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01380808

Oromandibular dystonia: a serious side effect of capecitabine

BACKGROUND

Capecitabine has activity against several types of cancer. In 10-15% of patients treated with capecitabine, treatment is discontinued because of serious adverse reactions, mostly within the first weeks of treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 56 year-old female patient presented at the emergency department after ten days of chemotherapy with progressive airway obstruction and complaints of numbness of the tongue. She also had difficulty swallowing and was unable to speak. Laboratory findings were completely normal and no co-medication was used, in particular no dopamine antagonists.

CONCLUSION

The case highlights the need for awareness that capecitabine may potentially lead to severe life-threatening complaints of oromandibular dystonia. We hypothesize that capecitabine passed the blood brain barrier which led to a disruption within the basal ganglia in this case. Prompt treatment with an anticholinergic drug and cessation of capecitabine in the patient case led to disappearance of complaints.

Erlotinib plus capecitabine as first-line treatment for older Chinese patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung (C-TONG0807): an open-label, single arm, multicenter phase II study

Preclinical studies have shown synergism between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antifolates in solid tumors. This study is to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of erlotinib plus capecitabine as first-line treatment in older Chinese patients (≥ 65 years) with lung adenocarcinoma. This is an open-label, single arm, multicenter phase II clinical trial. Sixty- two patients with previously untreated stage IIIB/IV adenocarcinoma and age 65 years or above were enrolled at four tertiary teaching hospitals and 2 provincial hospitals in China; 58 patients fulfilled the study requirements. Erlotinib (150 mg/day) and capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14) were administered during every 21-day cycle. The primary endpoint was the non-progression rate at 12 weeks. EGFR and K-ras mutation rates were determined using PCR. Tumor expression of different biomarkers was assessed using immunohistochemistry. In a cohort of 58 patients, 34 patients had no disease progression at 12 weeks following treatment. The objective response rate was 29.3%, and the disease control rate was 75.9%. The objective response rate was significantly higher in patients with EGFR mutations than in those with wild-type EGFR. Patients with thymidine phosphorylase-negative tumors had significantly longer overall survival after one year than patients with thymidine phosphorylase-positive tumors. Forty-four patients had at least one primary adverse events (AEs), including skin rash (n = 30), grade 3 AEs (n = 17), and grade 4 AEs (n = 7). This is the first phase II clinical trial to assess erlotinib plus capecitabine combination therapy as first-line treatment in older patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Erlotinib/capecitabine chemotherapy was significantly better in patients with EGFR mutations and in those with thymidine phosphorylase-negative tumors. The use of fluorouracil derivatives for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma warrants further study.

First-line chemotherapy with docetaxel plus capecitabine followed by capecitabine or hormone maintenance therapy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer patients

The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate whether maintenance therapy with capecitabine or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) results in improved progression-free survival (PFS) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients who had previously achieved disease control with first-line docetaxel plus capecitabine (TX) chemotherapy. Seventy-nine metastatic breast cancer patients treated between January 2008 and June 2013 with TX chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Following successful initial disease control by the combination chemotherapy, 39 patients received single-agent capecitabine maintenance therapy and 40 patients received HRT as maintenance therapy. The PFS time, objective response rate, clinical benefit rate and safety of the two groups were compared. The median PFS of the total cohort (n=79) was 11.0 months. Furthermore, the median PFS time of the capecitabine (n=39) and HRT groups (n=40) were 10.9 and 11.1 months, respectively (P=0.283). Compared with the PFS time of maintenance treatment only, single-agent capecitabine treatment following TX chemotherapy prolonged the PFS time by 6.8 months and HRT following TX chemotherapy prolonged PFS time by 5.8 months (P=0.551). Of the total cohort, 49 patients did not receive palliative endocrine therapy prior to chemotherapy, including 22 patients in the capecitabine maintenance group and 27 patients in the HRT maintenance group. The PFS time from the commencement of maintenance treatment was significantly different between the two groups, 6.1 months in the capecitabine group compared with 11.5 months in the HRT group (P=0.045). For the 30 patients who underwent palliative endocrine therapy prior to TX chemotherapy, the PFS times of the capecitabine and HRT maintenance treatment groups were 7.5 and 4.1 months, respectively (P=0.043). However, the occurrence of adverse events, such as hematological and gastrointestinal toxicity, as well as hand-foot syndrome, were not significantly different between the two groups. The current study indicated that single-agent capecitabine maintenance therapy may be a potential treatment strategy for MBC patients who responded to capecitabine-based chemotherapy. In particular, capecitabine may provide a more effective maintenance treatment duration compared with HRT for patients who had previously undergone first-line palliative HRT for MBC.

Bosutinib plus capecitabine for selected advanced solid tumours: results of a phase 1 dose-escalation study

Background:

This phase 1 study evaluated the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and efficacy of bosutinib (competitive Src/Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor) plus capecitabine.

Methods:

Patients with locally advanced/metastatic breast, pancreatic, or colorectal cancers; cholangiocarcinoma; or glioblastoma received bosutinib plus capecitabine at eight of nine possible dose combinations using an ‘up-down' design to determine the toxicity contour of the combination.

Results:

Among 32 enrolled patients, none of the 9 patients receiving MTD (bosutinib 300 mg once daily plus capecitabine 1000 mg m⁻² twice daily) experienced dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). Overall, 2 out of 31 (6%) evaluable patients experienced DLTs (grade 3 neurologic pain (n=1); grade 3 pruritus/rash and increased alanine aminotransferase (n=1)). Most common treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE), fatigue; most frequent grade 3/4 AEs: PPE, fatigue, and increased alanine/aspartate aminotransferase. Although diarrhoea was common, 91% of affected patients experienced maximum grade 1/2 events that resolved. Best overall confirmed partial response or stable disease >24 weeks (all tumour types) was observed in 6 and 13% of patients.

Conclusions:

In this population of patients with advanced solid tumours, bosutinib plus capecitabine demonstrated a safety profile similar to that previously reported for bosutinib or capecitabine monotherapy; limited efficacy was observed.

Safety and efficacy of neratinib in combination with capecitabine in patients with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer

PURPOSE

Neratinib is a potent irreversible pan-tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antitumor activity and acceptable tolerability in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -positive breast cancer. A multinational, open-label, phase I/II trial was conducted to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of neratinib plus capecitabine in patients with solid tumors (part one) and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of neratinib plus capecitabine in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (part two).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Part one was a 3 + 3 dose-escalation study in which patients with advanced solid tumors received oral neratinib once per day continuously plus capecitabine twice per day on days 1 to 14 of a 21-day cycle at predefined dose levels. In part two, patients with trastuzumab-pretreated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer received neratinib plus capecitabine at the MTD. The primary end point in part two was objective response rate (ORR).

RESULTS

In part one (n = 33), the combination of neratinib 240 mg per day plus capecitabine 1,500 mg/m(2) per day was defined as the MTD, which was further evaluated in part 2 (n = 72). The most common drug-related adverse events were diarrhea (88%) and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (48%). In part two, the ORR was 64% (n = 39 of 61) in patients with no prior lapatinib exposure and 57% (n = 4 of 7) in patients previously treated with lapatinib. Median progression-free survival was 40.3 and 35.9 weeks, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Neratinib in combination with capecitabine had a manageable toxicity profile and showed promising antitumor activity in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer pretreated with trastuzumab and lapatinib.

A retrospective study evaluating a fixed low dose capecitabine monotherapy in women with HER-2 negative metastatic breast cancer

To determine if a low fixed dosing strategy of capecitabine would produce comparable clinical activity with less adverse toxicities compared to published data with higher doses in the setting of metastatic breast cancer (mBC). We retrospectively analyzed patients treated with a low fixed dose of capecitabine (CAPE-L) at 1,000 mg twice daily for 14 days every 21 days. Outcomes included clinical benefit rate (CBR), overall response rates (ORR), time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS). A historical comparison group of mBC patients treated on 12 prior trials at the package-insert dose of capecitabine (n = 1,949) was utilized. Eighty-six patients were analyzed in our cohort. Positive hormone receptor status (79.1 vs. 50.6 %), and capecitabine as first-line chemotherapy (44.2 vs. 16.5 %) were more frequent in our cohort relative to the historical comparison. The median starting dose in our cohort was 633.5 mg/m(2). The CBR was similar between the CAPE-L and the standard dose cohorts (55.8 vs. 49.5 %), as was ORR (24.3 vs. 24 %), and median TTP (7 mo, 95 % CI 5.5-8.5 vs. 5.1 mo, 95 % CI 4.5-5.7). Median OS was longer in our cohort (24 mo, 95 % CI 16.8-31.2) than the historic standard dose cohort (12.1 mo, 95 % CI 9.6-14.4), a difference that was likely explained by the higher proportion of patients in the CAPE-L cohort who received capecitabine as first-line chemotherapy and who had hormone receptor positive disease. As expected, adverse events were less frequent with CAPE-L. We found that CAPE-L, which translates into a dose of 600-650 mg/m(2), appeared to have good clinical efficacy and acceptable toxicity.

Individualized chemotherapy based on organ selectivity: a retrospective study of vinorelbine and capecitabine for patients with metastatic breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

This study proposed a conception of individualized chemotherapy based on organ selectivity of drug distribution by retrospectively comparing the effect of vinorelbine and capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and December 2009, 133 patients with lung metastasis and 87 patients with liver metastasis were analyzed and followed up until December 2012. The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify independent prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The median time to progression of the vinorelbine, capecitabine and anthracycline/taxane groups of patients with lung metastasis was 5.7, 2.9 and 2.1 months, respectively. Median overall survival of the vinorelbine group (27.4 months) was longer than the capecitabine (12.2 months, P = 0.027) and anthracycline/taxane groups (9.1 months, P < 0.001) in patients with lung metastasis. The median time to progression of the vinorelbine, capecitabine and anthracycline/taxane groups of patients with liver metastasis was 2.3, 7.3 and 2.6 months, respectively. Median overall survival of the capecitabine group (15.2 months) was longer than the vinorelbine (9.0 months, P = 0.029) and anthracycline/taxane groups (6.4 months, P = 0.004) in patients with liver metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that vinorelbine and capecitabine have different advantageous effects in breast cancer patients with lung/liver metastasis. Thus, we propose individualized chemotherapy based on organ specificity and pharmacokinetics.

Capecitabine–docetaxel combination treatment

Metastatic breast cancer develops in approximately 50% of women diagnosed with breast cancer. The optimal treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer has yet to be defined, owing to the heterogeneity of this group and the available agents. Patients with metastatic breast cancer often receive single-agent treatment in sequence as it is unclear whether combination therapy with cytotoxic drugs offers an overall disease-free survival benefit and single agents may offer less toxicity. The advantages of combination cytotoxic therapies have included higher response rates. However, such trials have not stratified on rapidity of disease progression or on tumor bulk. In previous studies, docetaxel is one of the few cytotoxic agents to demonstrate a survival benefit in anthracycline-resistant patients and thus it has become a vital component of cytotoxic therapy. Capecitabine is also an important oral drug and has demonstrated activity in patients pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes. Recent preclinical and clinical trials of this combination have demonstrated an increased time to tumor progression and overall survival benefit. Paclitaxel combined with gemcitabine has been compared with docetaxel plus capecitabine, with similar response rates and survival benefits. As patients on these trials have not received uniform crossover to the other active agent, whether or not the combination therapy offers an advantage for the entire cohort of metastatic patients or may be indicated for specific subgroups remains uncertain. Combination treatments may be preferable to sequential therapy for patients requiring urgent reduction in their tumor burden. Combinations of cytotoxic agents in combination with biological agents are currently being defined.

Capecitabine maintenance therapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer

Our objective was to investigate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine maintenance therapy (CMT) after capecitabine-based combination chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The clinical data of 139 metastatic breast cancer patients treated from March 2008 to May 2012 with capecitabine-based combination chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. When initial disease control was achieved by the combination chemotherapy, we used CMT for 50 patients, while 37 patients were treated with a different (non-CMT) maintenance therapy. We compared time to progression (TTP), objective response rate, disease control rate, clinical benefit rate, and safety of the two groups, and a sub-group analysis was performed according to pathological characteristics. Sixty-four percent of the patients received a median of six cycles of a docetaxel+capecitabine combination chemotherapy regimen (range 1-45); the median TTP (MTTP) for the complete treatment was 9.43 months (95%CI=8.38-10.48 months) for the CMT group and 4.5 months (95%CI=4.22-4.78 months; P=0.004) for the non-CMT group. The MTTPs for the maintenance therapies administered after the initial capecitabine combined chemotherapy were 4.11 months (95%CI=3.34-4.87 months) for the CMT group and 2.0 months (95%CI=1.63-2.38 months) for the non-CMT group. Gastrointestinal side effects, decreased white blood cells and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia were the main adverse reactions experienced with the combination chemotherapies, CMT and non-CMT treatments. No significant differences in the incidence of adverse reactions were detected in the CMT and non-CMT patients. After initial disease control was achieved with the capecitabine-based combination chemotherapy, CMT can significantly prolong TTP rates with a favorable safety profile.

Response-guided neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

PURPOSE

We investigated disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) after response-guided neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We treated 2,072 patients with two cycles of docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (TAC) and randomly assigned early responders to four (n = 704) or six (n = 686) additional TAC cycles, and early nonresponders to four cycles of TAC (n = 321) or vinorelbine and capecitabine (NX; n = 301) before surgery.

RESULTS

DFS was longer in early responders receiving TAC × 8 than in those receiving TAC × 6 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.97; P = .026), and in early nonresponders receiving TAC-NX than in those receiving TAC × 6 (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.82; P = .001). Exploratory analysis showed that DFS after response-guided chemotherapy (TAC × 8 or TAC-NX) was significantly longer (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.85; P < .003), as was OS (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.99; P = .048), than on conventional chemotherapy (TAC × 6). DFS was longer after response-guided chemotherapy in all hormone receptor-positive tumors (luminal A HR = 0.55, luminal B [human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative] HR = 0.40, and luminal B [HER2 positive] HR = 0.56), but not in hormone receptor-negative tumors (HER2 positive [nonluminal] HR = 1.01 and triple negative HR = 0.87). Pathologic complete response did not predict these survival effects. pCR predicted an improved DFS in triple-negative (HR = 6.67), HER2-positive (nonluminal; HR 5.24), or luminal B (HER2-negative) tumors (HR = 3.74).

CONCLUSION

This exploratory analysis suggests that response-guided neoadjuvant chemotherapy might improve survival and is most effective in hormone receptor-positive tumors. If confirmed, the response-guided approach could provide a clinically meaningful advantage for the neoadjuvant over the adjuvant approach in early breast cancer.

Neo-adjuvant capecitabine chemotherapy in women with newly diagnosed locally advanced breast cancer in a resource-poor setting (Nigeria): efficacy and safety in a phase II feasibility study

The majority of clinical trials of neo-adjuvant therapy for breast cancer have been conducted in resource-rich countries. We chose Nigeria, a resource-poor country, as the major site for a phase II feasibility open-label multicenter clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of neo-adjuvant capecitabine in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Planned treatment consisted of 24 weeks of capecitabine at a dose of 1,000 mg/m(2) twice daily (2,000 mg/m(2) total per day). The primary endpoints were overall, partial, complete clinical response rate (OCR, PCR, CCR) and complete pathologic response (cPR). A total of 16 patients were recruited from August 2007 to April 2010. The study was terminated early as a result of slow accrual. After the first three cycles of therapy, PCR were seen in five of 16 patients (31%; 95% CI 11-59%). Of the remaining 11 patients, eight had no response (NR) or stable disease (SD), and three had progressive disease (PD). Seven patients proceeded with further therapy of which had SD. OCR at the end of eight cycles was 44% (95% CI 20-70%). Clinical response and radiologic response by ultrasonomammography were highly concordant (spearman correlation 0.70). The most common adverse effect was Grade 1 hand-foot syndrome, which was seen in 75% of patients. Despite several limitations, we successfully carried out this phase II feasibility study of neo-adjuvant capecitabine for LABC in Nigeria. Capecitabine monotherapy showed good overall response rates with minimal toxicity and further studies are warranted.

Capecitabine plus paclitaxel versus epirubicin plus paclitaxel as first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer: efficacy and safety results of a randomized, phase III trial by the AGO Breast Cancer Study Group

Capecitabine/taxane combinations are highly active in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We conducted a randomized, phase III, noninferiority trial comparing capecitabine plus paclitaxel (XP) with epirubicin plus paclitaxel (EP) as first-line therapy for MBC, regarding progression-free survival (PFS) as primary efficacy endpoint. Females who had received no prior chemotherapy for MBC were randomized to six 3-weekly cycles of XP (capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) b.i.d., days 1-14; paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) 3-h infusion, day 1) or EP (epirubicin 60 mg/m(2) 1-h infusion, day 1; paclitaxel as above). Secondary endpoints included response rate, overall survival, tolerability, and quality of life (QoL). Each arm included 170 patients, most of whom received all six cycles as planned. The difference in means of (logarithmic) PFS times (-0.205) did not meet the pre-defined level for noninferiority (-0.186). However, PFS was similar in the two arms [HR: XP vs. EP: 1.012 (95 % CI 0.785-1.304); median 10.4 months XP vs. 9.2 months EP]. Overall survival was also similar [HR 1.027 (95 % CI 0.740-1.424); median 22.0 vs. 26.1 months], and response rate was 47 % versus 42 %. Both regimens were tolerable: there were more grade 3/4 diarrhea and grade 3 hand-foot syndromes with XP and more grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities with EP. There were no major differences in QoL. Although, noninferiority of XP to EP was formally not proven, first-line XP was active and feasible. XP is a valid first-line alternative to anthracycline/taxane regimens, especially in patients previously treated with adjuvant anthracyclines.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of capecitabine in breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

Capecitabine , an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is adsorbed in its intact form through the intestine and metabolized to 5-FU in tumour cells. In metastatic breast cancer (MBC), capecitabine is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option both in monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapeutic or molecular-targeted agents.

AREAS COVERED

We summarized data on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of capecitabine. We also produced a general review of the most relevant clinical studies of capecitabine in MBC. A literature search was performed using PubMed database including selected articles published in English language up to October 2012.

EXPERT OPINION

The unique pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic features represent the bases of the reduced toxicity and the activity of capecitabine in several tumours. Although during the past 10 years there has been an increasing use of this drug in MBC both as single agent and in combination, encouraging results of well tolerated and active combinations with novel agents will lead to a more extensive and protracted use of capecitabine. In view of this, some aspects should be further clarified such as the optimal starting dose and the introduction of alternative schedules of treatment.

Clinical efficacy of including capecitabine in neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Capecitabine has proven effective as a chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. Though several Phase II/III studies of capecitabine as neoadjuvant chemotherapy have been conducted, the results still remain inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to obtain more precise understanding of the role of capecitabine in neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.

Methods

The electronic database PubMed and online abstracts from ASCO and SABCS were searched to identify randomized clinical trials comparing neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without capecitabine in early/operable breast cancer patients without distant metastasis. Risk ratios were used to estimate the association between capecitabine in neoadjuvant chemotherapy and various efficacy outcomes. Fixed- or random-effect models were adopted to pool data in RevMan 5.1.

Results

Five studies were included in the meta-analysis. Neoadjuvant use of capecitabine with anthracycline and/or taxane based therapy was not associated with significant improvement in clinical outcomes including: pathologic complete response in breast (pCR; RR = 1.10, 95% CI 0.87–1.40, p = 0.43), pCR in breast tumor and nodes (tnpCR RR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.83–1.18, p = 0.90), overall response rate (ORR; RR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.94–1.07, p = 0.93), or breast-conserving surgery (BCS; RR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.93–1.04, p = 0.49).

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer involving capecitabine did not significantly improve pCR, tnpCR, BCS or ORR. Thus adding capecitabine to neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimes is unlikely to improve outcomes in breast cancer patients without distant metastasis. Further research is required to establish the condition that capecitabine may be useful in breast cancer neoadjuvant chemotherapy.