In a nutshell
The present study compared the survival benefits of two drug combinations used for adjuvant chemotherapy: Capecitabine/Oxaliplatin (Xelox) versus Fluorouracil/Folinic Acid (FU/FA). The study found Xelox to be a superior therapy for stage III colon cancer.
Some background
Stage III colon cancer is cancer that is no longer confined to the colon, but spread into nearby lymph nodes, often called advanced colon cancer. The standard treatment in this stage is surgery (complete removal of the tumor and adjacent lymph nodes), followed by chemotherapy (called adjuvant chemotherapy). Chemotherapy options include the combination of Fluorouracil and Folinic Acid (FU/FA) or Capecitabine (Xeloda) only. Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) is a new FDA approved drug for the treatment of advanced colon cancer. The purpose of chemotherapy is to kill any remaining cancer cells thereby prevent the return of the cancer (recurrence or relapse).
Methods & findings
This study included 1886 patients with stage III colon cancer who had undergone curative surgery. After surgery, 944 received Xelox and 942 received FU/FA. 57 months after the treatment, there was a 20% lower risk of reccurrence or death in favor of Xelox. Also, survival rate without relapse was increased by 22% and cancer related deaths were reduced by 13% with Xelox compared with FU/FA.
The bottom line
In summary, the addition of Oxaliplatin to Capecitabine (Xelox) showed clear survival and relapse prevention benefits compared to FU/FA. These findings support the use of Xelox as first line adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage III colon cancer.
The fine print
These findings could serve as evidence for the efficacy of Xelox the adjuvant therapy of choice for patients with stage III colon cancer.
Published By :
Journal of clinical oncology
Date :
Apr 10, 2011
