Filippo Pelizzaro1, Ambra Sammarco1, Vincenzo Dadduzio2, Davide Pastorelli3, Petros Giovanis3, Caterina Soldà4, Mario Domenico Rizzato2, Giuseppe Lombardi2, Sara Lonardi2, Giulia Peserico1, Angela Imondi1, Anna Sartori1, Gemma Maddalo1, Fabio Farinati5. 1. Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, Unit of Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, PD, Italy. 2. Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Unit of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto - IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padova, PD, Italy. 3. Department of Oncology, S. Maria del Prato Hospital, Via Bagnols sur Ceze 3, 32032 Feltre, BL, Italy. 4. Medical Oncology Azienda ULSS 3 Serenissima, Ospedale dell'Angelo, Via Paccagnella 11, 30174 Mestre, VE, Italy. 5. Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, Unit of Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, PD, Italy. Electronic address: fabio.farinati@unipd.it.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest a potential activity and a good tolerability of capecitabine in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIMS: To evaluate capecitabine activity and safety in a wide cohort of advanced HCC patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 143 capecitabine-treated patients (January 2010 to December 2017) in three centers of the Veneto Oncology Network. RESULTS: Capecitabine was administered in second and third line, but also in first line instead of sorafenib in Child-Pugh B patients (70%), compromised clinical conditions (14%) or contraindications to antiangiogenetics (16%). Median overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) were 6.9 and 2.8 months, respectively. There were no differences in OS and TTP between the 32 patients treated with non-metronomic scheme (2000 mg/day for 14 days) and the 111 patients treated with metronomic scheme (1000 mg/day) after correction for prognostic factors at baseline with a propensity score analysis. Capecitabine was more active in patients intolerant to sorafenib than in those progressing during treatment (p = 0.024). At least one adverse event (mainly hematological) was experienced by 73% of patients but discontinuation was necessary only in 11 (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Capecitabine can be considered an active and safe option in advanced HCC, especially for patients unfit for other treatments.
BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest a potential activity and a good tolerability of capecitabine in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIMS: To evaluate capecitabine activity and safety in a wide cohort of advanced HCC patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 143 capecitabine-treated patients (January 2010 to December 2017) in three centers of the Veneto Oncology Network. RESULTS:Capecitabine was administered in second and third line, but also in first line instead of sorafenib in Child-Pugh B patients (70%), compromised clinical conditions (14%) or contraindications to antiangiogenetics (16%). Median overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) were 6.9 and 2.8 months, respectively. There were no differences in OS and TTP between the 32 patients treated with non-metronomic scheme (2000 mg/day for 14 days) and the 111 patients treated with metronomic scheme (1000 mg/day) after correction for prognostic factors at baseline with a propensity score analysis. Capecitabine was more active in patients intolerant to sorafenib than in those progressing during treatment (p = 0.024). At least one adverse event (mainly hematological) was experienced by 73% of patients but discontinuation was necessary only in 11 (8%). CONCLUSIONS:Capecitabine can be considered an active and safe option in advanced HCC, especially for patients unfit for other treatments.