ChemotherapyFDA-approvedFirst-line

Capecitabine

How it works

Is converted into a compound that interferes with DNA replication, causing cancer cells to die.

Cancer types

Colorectal CancerAll patients

Efficacy

In clinical trials, patients treated with capecitabine and other chemotherapy agents had a median overall survival of approximately 19 months.

Side effects

Moderate

Side effects can be significant and may require dose adjustments or supportive medication, but the treatment is usually continued.

Evidence from research

StudyCancer typeStageEfficacy
Study Examines Effectiveness of Capecitabine in Triple-Negative Breast CancerBreast CancerobservationalAdjuvant capecitabine did not improve disease-free survival (HR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.52-1.78) or overall survival (HR = 0.70; 95% CI 0.33-1.46) in univariable analyses.Source →
Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Patients on Capecitabine May Be Cost-EffectiveBreast Cancerphase-3The genotyping strategy yielded 1.16 QALYs at a cost of $2,832, compared to $2,677 and 1.15 QALYs for the no-genotyping strategy.Source →
Methylcobalamin May Help Prevent Hand-Foot Syndrome in Breast Cancer PatientsBreast Cancerphase-3Grade ≥2 hand-foot syndrome occurred in 14.5% of patients in the methylcobalamin group, compared to 29.1% in the placebo group.Source →
Capecitabine plus Temozolomide Therapy for Pancreatic TumorsPancreatic CancerobservationalThe objective response rates and disease control rates were 26.7 and 66.7%, respectively.Source →
Predicting Capecitabine-Induced Diarrhea in Cancer PatientsColorectal Cancerlab-studyThe area under curve of the model was 0.907, with a specificity of 100.0% and a sensitivity of 71.4% for predicting diarrhea in colorectal cancer patients.Source →

This information is provided for general education only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.