Sustained complete response of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with metronomic capecitabine: a report of three cases

Abstract

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent causes of cancer-related death. Sorafenib, a multitarget angiogenesis inhibitor, is an approved frontline treatment for advanced HCC in Western countries, although a complete response (CR) to treatment is infrequently reported. Capecitabine, an oral fluoropyrimidine, has been shown to be effect in both treatment-naïve patients and those previously treated with sorafenib. To date, however, only one case of sustained CR to metronomic capecitabine has been reported.Case presentationWe describe three cases of advanced HCC treated with metronomic capecitabine where a CR was obtained. In the first case, capecitabine was administered as first line therapy; in the second case, capecitabine was used after intolerance to sorafenib; while in the third case, capecitabine was administered after sorafenib failure.ConclusionCapecitabine is a potentially important treatment option for patients with advanced HCC and may even represent a cure in certain cases.

Optimal sequencing of chemotherapy with chemoradiotherapy based on TNM stage classification and EBV DNA in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…Moreover, 37 (69.8%) of the 53 patients received only 1–2 cycles of ACT and had dose reductions, and hence the improvement in survival was unexpected considering the suboptimal treatment intensity. The role of ACT remains to be defined, and we await the ongoing trials of adjuvant capecitabine (NCT02143388; NCT02958111) and immunotherapy [12], which may shed additional insights on the drug of choice and optimal dosing (metronomic [13] vs. conventional dosing).…”

Metronomic chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide plus methotrexate for advanced breast cancer: Real‐world data analyses and experience of one center

“…For the past few decades, evidence has shown that, unlike conventional chemotherapy, mCHT has peculiar mechanisms of inhibiting tumor growth, including antiangiogenic effects, immuno‐mediated effects, anti‐proliferative effects, and endocrine effects on breast cancer [2‐5]. Currently, mCHT is an important alternative for advanced cancer patients, mainly in non‐small cell lung cancer [3], breast cancer [6], and hepatocellular carcinoma [7]. Both the Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) panel [8] and Pan‐European expert meeting [9] considered metronomic regimens, such as vinorelbine plus capecitabine and the CM regimen [cyclophosphamide (CTX) plus methotrexate (MTX)], as sufficient to be recommended for some patients with advanced breast cancer in clinical practice.…”

Spotlight on capecitabine for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic carcinoma of various origin: A retrospective study of 25 dogs

“…Capecitabine is also considered a potentially effective drug against human advanced HCC, 25 both as first-line and post-sorafenib treatment, and may even represent a cure for a certain subgroup of patients. 26 In dogs, nodular HCC carries a poor prognosis, while massive HCC is typically slow growing and associated with a more favourable prognosis following surgical excision. 27 In the current series, three dogs had nodular HCC and three had massive HCC.…”