Oral capecitabine (Xeloda s ) is an effective drug with favourable safety in adjuvant and metastatic colorectal cancer. Oxaliplatinbased therapy is becoming standard for Dukes' C colon cancer in patients suitable for combination therapy, but is not yet approved by the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the adjuvant setting. Adjuvant capecitabine is at least as effective as 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV), with significant superiority in relapse-free survival and a trend towards improved disease-free and overall survival. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of adjuvant capecitabine from payer (UK National Health Service (NHS)) and societal perspectives. We used clinical trial data and published sources to estimate incremental direct and societal costs and gains in quality-adjusted life months (QALMs). Acquisition costs were higher for capecitabine than 5-FU/LV, but higher 5-FU/LV administration costs resulted in 57% lower chemotherapy costs for capecitabine. Capecitabine vs 5-FU/LV-associated adverse events required fewer medications and hospitalisations (cost savings d3653). Societal costs, including patient travel/time costs, were reduced by 475% with capecitabine vs 5-FU/LV (cost savings d1318), with lifetime gain in QALMs of 9 months. Medical resource utilisation is significantly decreased with capecitabine vs 5-FU/LV, with cost savings to the NHS and society. Capecitabine is also projected to increase life expectancy vs 5-FU/LV. Cost savings and better outcomes make capecitabine a preferred adjuvant therapy for Dukes' C colon cancer. This pharmacoeconomic analysis strongly supports replacing 5-FU/LV with capecitabine in the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer in the UK.
10605 Background: Optimal chemotherapy (CT) for advanced breast cancer treatment should be effective, well tolerated and convenient. Although the optimum CT is not defined, oral chemotherapy is an attractive option for many patients. Methods: We report a phase II multicentric study, first and second line metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treatment, at least one measurable lesion, prospectively collected data between 2003 and 2005. Treatment schedule: vinorelbine 60 mg/m2 p.o. day 1 and 8, capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily, day 1–14 q 21 days. Patients: 84 patients with MBC have been registered. Mean age 58.1 years, ranges (39.7 years–71.9 years). All patients had received prior adjuvant anthracycline based chemotherapy (CT). No adjuvant or palliative CT within the last 12 months, no concomitant hormonal treatment. Results: The median number of oral chemotherapy cycles vinorelbine plus capecitabine was 6 cycles (ranges 1 cycle - 19 cycles), total number of cycles was 550. In 84 evaluable pts the objective tumor response was achieved in 46 pts 55%, (ORR = CR + PR), complete response CR was achieved in 11 (13%) pts, partial response in 35 pts (42%), stable disease in 26 pts (31%). Median follow up was 9.7 months. In the intent-to-treat analysis, median time to progression was 6.7 months, median survival not reached, 58 pts (69%) are still alive. Reported NCI grade 3 - 4 toxicities: neutropenia in 4 pts (5%), febrile neutropenia in 4 pts (5%), vomiting in 6 pts (7%) Conclusion: Oral vinorelbine-capecitabine combination shows very promising activity and low toxicity in the MBC treatment. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst prognosis of any malignant disease. Systemic therapy is often administered because the disease is usually detected at advanced stages. Gemcitabine (Gemzar trade mark, Eli Lilly & Co.) has proven activity in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) was given on days 1, 8 and 15, every 4 weeks. A total of 100 chemonaive patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were enrolled; 32 and 68% had stage III and IV disease, respectively. The average number of administered cycles was 3.5 (range: 1 - 12). The overall response rate was 13%, with 13 partial responders. The median time to progression was 13.5 weeks (range: 3 - 56; 95% CI = 12 - 14). The median survival was 32 weeks (range: 4 - 104; 95% CI = 27 - 36). Clinical benefit response was acheived for 26 patients (26%). Grade 3/4 haematological toxicities occurred infrequently (anaemia: 5%; neutropenia: 8% and thrombocytopenia: 3% of patients). Grade 3/4 non-haematological toxicities were not observed. There were no treatment-related deaths. Gemcitabine treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer is effective and well-tolerated.
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