Optimal Timing for the Administration of Capecitabine with Preoperative Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.
- Author:
Young Ju NOH
1
;
Won Sik CHOI
;
Jong Hoon KIM
;
Jin Cheon KIM
;
Chang Sik YU
;
Hee Cheol KIM
;
Tae Won KIM
;
Heung Moon CHANG
;
Min Hee RYU
;
Seung Do AHN
;
Sang wook LEE
;
Seong Soo SHIN
;
Jung Eun LEE
;
Eun Kyung CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Ulsan University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Rectal neoplasms;
Combined modality therapy;
Capecitabine
- MeSH:
Administration, Oral;
Combined Modality Therapy;
Eating;
Humans;
Multivariate Analysis;
Plasma;
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents;
Radiotherapy;
Rectal Neoplasms*;
Retrospective Studies;
Capecitabine
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment
2006;38(1):30-34
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine carbamate and it is known as an effective radiosensitizer. Capecitabine and its metabolite reach their peak concentration in the plasma at 1~2 hours after a single oral administration of capecitabine and the levels fall rapidly thereafter. To verify the radiosensitizing effect of capecitabine that is based on such pharmacokinetic characteristics, we performed a retrospective analysis on the optimal timing of capecitabine administration with performing preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 171 patients who were treated with preoperative radiotherapy and concurrent capecitabine administration for rectal cancer, 56 patients were administered capecitabine at 1~2 hours before radiotherapy (group A), and at other time in the other 115 patients (group B). Total mesorectal excision was done at 4 to 6 weeks after the completion of chemoradiation. The radiosensitizing effect of capecitabine was evaluated on the basis of the pathological response. RESULTS: Complete pathological regression of the primary tumor was observed in 12 patients (21.4%) for group A and in 11 patients (9.6%) for group B (p=0.031). Residual disease less than 0.5 cm (a good response) was observed in 19 patients (33.9%) for group A and in 23 patients (20.0%) for group B (p=0.038). On multivariate analysis, the capecitabine ingestion time showed marginal significance. CONCLUSION: When performing preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer, the radiosensitizing effect of capecitabine was enhanced when it was administered 1 hour before radiotherapy.
