Encouraging Xeloda Results Reported in Treating Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Xeloda (capecitabine), a newer oral chemotherapy drug, demonstrated effectiveness in several combination treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer, according to data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.

Researchers led by Dr. Josep Tabernero of Hospital General d'Hebron in Barcelona said an international Phase II study of Xeloda in combination with oxaliplatin (XELOX) as first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer showed 72 percent of the 96 patients treated were alive at one year.

Median survival in this study is 16 months, with 57 patients still alive. Median time to progression is currently 7.6 months, with 13 patients yet to progress and 3 patients still undergoing treatment.

Researchers lead by Dr. David J. Kerr of the University of Oxford presented results of a Phase I/II study showing an overall response rate of 48 percent for patients treated with Xeloda and Camptosar (irinotecan). The use of Xeloda in combination with Camptosar also stabilized the disease in 41 percent of patients. Four percent of patients had disease progression.

Data presented by Dr. E. Lin of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and his team showed that Xeloda and the arthritis drug Celebrex (celecoxib) significantly increased the time to tumor progression to six months, versus 3 months without Celebrex, and the rate of disease stabilization to 62.5 percent, versus 22.8 percent without Celebrex, for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

"The results of these studies are encouraging and highlight Xeloda's possible role in combination therapy for patients with advanced and metastatic colorectal cancer," said Georges Gemayel, Vice President of Roche. "Furthermore, the convenience of oral dosing with Xeloda allows patients to spend less time in the hospital and more time with their loved ones, while treating and managing their disease."

Other sources: ASCO, Roche