Pyridoxine is not effective for the prevention of hand foot syndrome (HFS) associated with capecitabine therapy: Results of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

Abstract

9007 Introduction: Although pyridoxine has been used empirically for the prevention of HFS associated with capecitabine, its efficacy has not been proven yet. We performed a prospective randomized double-blind study to determine whether pyridoxine can prevent the development of HFS when given concurrently with capecitabine. Method: Chemotherapy-naive patients (pts) with gastrointestinal tract cancers who were going to have capecitabine-containing chemotherapy were randomized to receive either oral pyridoxine (200 mg/day) or placebo daily during chemotherapy after stratified by chemotherapy regimen: 1) capecitabine alone, 2) capecitabine and cisplatin, or 3) docetaxel, capecitabine, and cisplatin. The patients were observed until grade 2 or 3 HFS (by NCI CTC version 2.0) developed or capecitabine containing chemotherapy ended. When grade 2 or 3 HFS developed in pts in placebo group, the pts were randomized again to receive either pyridoxine or placebo for next cycle of chemotherapy in order to determine whether pyridoxine could improve the HFS. Result: From Jun 2004 to Oct 2005, total 389 pts were entered onto the study. But, 29 pts (15 in placebo group and 14 in pyridoxine group) were excluded from the study because of ineligibility or pts’ refusal. Pts’ characteristics were well balanced between the 2 groups. Grade 2 or 3 HFS developed in 55 of 180 (30.6%) pts in placebo group and in 57 of 180 (31.7%) pts in pyridoxine group. (p=0.788) The median cycles of chemotherapy to grade 2 or 3 HFS was 3 in both groups. The mean cumulative dose of capecitabine until occurrence of grade 2 or 3 HFS was not different statistically between the two groups. (221,157.5 mg/m2 vs. 259,808.5 mg/m2, p=0.788). Total 44 of 55 pts in placebo group who had grade 2 or 3 HFS were randomized to receive either placebo or pyridoxine at next cycle. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the proportion of pts with improvement of HFS (43% vs 48%, p=0.94). Conclusion: These results indicated that pyridoxine is not effective for the prevention of HFS associated with capecitabine therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.