Background:
This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of S-1 and capecitabine in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC).
Methods:
Eligible prospective clinical trials were searched and available data were extracted. Odds ratio and hazard ratio of available outcomes including objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were pooled for analysis.
Results:
A total of 6 studies including 828 patients were included. The results of pooled analysis showed no statistical difference in short-term efficacy including ORR (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68–1.19;
P
= .48) or DCR (95% CI: 0.65–1.29;
P
= .61), or long-term efficacy including PFS (95% CI: 0.75–1.08;
P
=
.26) or OS (95% CI: 0.78–1.13;
P
=
.50). Symptoms of diarrhea at any grade were more prevalent (95% CI: 1.21–2.29;
P
=
.002) in patients treated with S-1, while hand-foot syndrome (HFS) at any grade (95% CI: 0.24–0.48;
P
< .0001) or high grade (95% CI: 0.09–0.48;
P
< .0001) was more frequent in capecitabine group. AEs including leucopenia, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, vomiting, oral mucositis, stomatitis, elevated alanine transaminase, or peripheral neuropathy showed no statistical difference between S-1 and capecitabine group (all
P
> .05).
Conclusions:
This meta-analysis reveals that S-1 has comparable efficacy, lower risk of HFS and higher incidence of diarrhea compared to capecitabine for treatment in patients with mCRC.