Effectiveness and safety of oral capecitabine in patients with gynecologic cancers

Abstract

Objective : To determine the efficacy and safety of capecitabine in patients with gynecologic cancers as adjuvant chemotherapy or maintenance treatment. Methods : In this study, patients who were treated with capecitabine between January 2000 and June 2007 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea were reviewed. Thirty-one patients with gynecologic cancers were included 16 patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, 9 patients with cervical cancer after initial treatment, and 6 patients with recurrent cervical cancer. These patients` data were analyzed by review of medical records and pathologic and laboratory reports retrospectively. Response was assessed by both RECIST criteria for patients with measurable disease and CA 125 criteria in patients with ovarian cancer and National Cancer Institute criteria for progression, response, and toxicity were utilized in cervical cancer. Results : Capcitabine was given at a dosage of 2,000-2,500 mg/m2/day orally in a divided dose daily for 14 days followed by a 7-day rest period in all patients. Nine patients with ovarian cancer were treated with more than 2 cycles and their median age was 49 years (43-67). Two patients showed a partial response and the median progression free survival was 3 months. Nine patients with cervical cancer after initial treatment were in the complete response state and their median progression free survival was 24.5 months. No partial or complete responses were seen in 6 patients with recurrent cervical cancer. There was no severe toxicity. Conclusion : Although capecitabine is a well-tolerated regimen, as a single agent, it produces minimal benefit in recurrent ovarian and cervical cancer population.