Xeloda
June 1, 2008 (Chicago, Illinois) — Single-agent oral capecitabine (Xeloda, Roche) was found to be inferior to conventional chemotherapy in older women with early-stage breast cancer, report researchers here at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 44th Annual Meeting.
This trial, known as CALGB/CTSU 49907, was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. It involved 633 women 65 years of age or older. There were 2 different regimens, chosen by the physician, in the standard chemotherapy group: cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil for 6 cycles; and doxorubcin with cyclophosphamide for 4 cycles. The comparator treatment group received oral capecitabine for 6 cycles
The final analysis was carried out on 633 patients. Standard chemotherapy was superior to capecitabine for both primary end points: relapse-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.09; P = .0009) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.85; P = .019).
Final Analysis of CALGB/CTSU 49907 Trial
Standard Chemotherapy, n = 326 Events 35 (11%) Still alive 291 (89%)
Oral Capecitabine, n = 307 Events 35 (20%) Still alive 247 (80%)
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Note that this trial was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, not Roche.
My own personal belief is that if
Co-factor could be delivered orally along with Xeloda, in the proper time relationship that it became available to the cancer cells when Xeloda was converted to 5-FU, it would make Xeloda much more effective.
I am still hoping ANX would push that. Xeloda goes off patent in 2010, I think, so Roche has little motivation to increase the long term use of it. The National Cancer Institute does.
Norman |
