Capecitabine Plus Bevacizumab as First-Line Therapy for Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer and Poor Performance Status

Abstract

Background: Benefit of chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer is well known, however, that for those patients with poor performance status is little known. Patients and methods: We retrospectively evaluated efficacy of chemotherapy with capecitabine and bevacizumab for patients with poor PS (PS 3). Results: Seven patients were included and the median age of the patients was 82 years (range, 65-91 years). The response was not ascertained; nonetheless, the disease control rate was 83.3%. The median PFS and OS were 10.0 and 25.8 months, respectively. Hand foot syndrome (HFS) was the most common toxicity observed (three patients; 42.9%). Grade 3 toxicities were found in one patient with proteinuria and one with hypertension. Conclusion: This limited study indicated that chemotherapy using capecitabine and bevacizumab for patients with poor PS may provide favorable OFS and OS. Needless to say, we should be careful not to impose extra burden to patients with poor PS.

Efficacy and safety analysis of bevacizumab combined with capecitabine in the maintenance treatment of RAS‐mutant metastatic colorectal cancer

“…The optimal strategy for maintenance therapy in patients with mCRC remains controversial. In previous retrospective studies, capecitabine combined with bevacizumab as a first‐line therapy for the mCRC patients with poor performance status (PS: 3) had a disease control rate of 83.3% and could provide favourable PFS and OSrates 6 . For elderly mCRC patients (PS: 2) who were not suitable for irinotecan and oxaliplatin‐containing chemotherapy regimens with an average age of over 75.5 years old, the combination of bevacizumab and capecitabine couldsignificantly improve OS and PFS rates, without excessively serious toxic effects 7 …”

“…In previous retrospective studies, capecitabine combined with bevacizumab as a first‐line therapy for the mCRC patients with poor performance status (PS: 3) had a disease control rate of 83.3% and could provide favourable PFS and OSrates. 6 For elderly mCRC patients (PS: 2) who were not suitable for irinotecan and oxaliplatin‐containing chemotherapy regimens with an average age of over 75.5 years old, the combination of bevacizumab and capecitabine couldsignificantly improve OS and PFS rates, without excessively serious toxic effects. 7 A recent study also demonstrated that the co‐therapy of bevacizumab and capecitabine showed curative effects on mCRC patients who had failed at least two chemotherapy regimens, with a disease control rate of 65% and an effective prolonged survival rate.…”