Capecitabine-induced hand foot syndrome: a brief look at possible pathways that may be associated with inflammation

Abstract

Hand foot syndrome is a toxic reaction related to certain chemotherapy agents. Capecitabine is a prodrug used in the treatment of many cancers, such as gastrointestinal, biliary tract and breast cancers. It is associated with hand and foot syndrome (HFS), which preferentially affects palms and soles. There is still no consensus on effective international standard therapeutic strategies for the treatment and prevention of HFS because the underlying physiological and pharmacological mechanisms leading to the development of HFS have not been adequately explained. HFS is rarely life-threatening, but it may deteriorate the patient’s quality of life. Quitting or a reduction in the dose of the causative drug mostly provide the amelioration of the symptoms. The aim of this review is to briefly evaluate the possible inflammatory mechanisms that may be associated with capecitabine- induced HFS.