Abstract
Background: Capecitabine is an orally administered fluoropyrimidine that is converted to 5-fluorouracil by thymidine phosphorylase. In view of the recognized synergism of fluoropyrimidines with interferon-α (IFNα), a Phase II study to characterize the toxicity and efficacy of the combination of capecitabine and rHuIFNα-2a for the treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was conducted. Patients and Methods: Eligible patients had metastatic RCC, measurable disease, and no prior systemic therapy. A total of 32 patients were entered into the study. Histologic subtypes included clear cell (n = 28) and nonclear cell (n = 2). Histology was unknown for 2 patients. The first 14 patients were treated with capecitabine 1,000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14 and 22-36, combined with IFNα-2a 3.0 MU/m2 subcutaneously 3 times weekly. Because of toxicity requiring dose reductions during the first cycle, the capecitabine dose was reduced to 825 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14 and 22-36 in the subsequent 18 patients. Results: Responses were seen in 4 of 32 patients (12%) (95% confidence interval 4% to 29%), with 1 complete response and 3 partial responses. There were 3 responses that occurred at the higher capecitabine starting dose level. Median response duration was 12 months (range 4.6-15.0). There were 12 patients (38%) who had stable disease for at least 2 cycles (duration 2.9 to 33.6+ months). One-year survival was 63%. Toxicity was moderate to severe and required dose reductions in 88% of patients. There were 23 patients who had grade ≥3 toxicity. Conclusion: The combination of capecitabine and IFNα-2a has limited activity in metastatic RCC and is associated with moderate-to-severe toxicity.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 46-52 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2007 |
Keywords
- Cancer
- Capecitabine
- Carcinoma
- Interferon
- Kidney
- Renal
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Urology