Randomized phase II trial of capecitabine versus capecitabine, low molecular weight heparin, and prednisone in refractory.......

Author(s): E. Mak, C. Townsley, R. Buckman, E. Chen, L. Lopez, L. Wang, M. Moore, A. M. Oza; Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

Abstract:

Background: Capecitabine is widely used in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Continuous low dose chemotherapy has been postulated to have anti-angiogenic effects discrete from its anti-proliferative effects on tumors (metronomic therapy). Dalteparin and prednisone have also been implicated in inhibiting tumour angiogenesis and hypothesized to have additive benefit to chemotherapy. This randomized phase II study examined the additive effect of dalteparin and prednisone with capecitabine in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods: Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were randomized to either capecitabine (C) 2,500 mg/m² in divided doses from days 1-14 in a 3-week cycle or capecitabine with dalteparin and prednisone (CDP). There was no restriction on previous treatment, other than no prior capecitabine. Dalteparin was given at 5,000 units once daily subcutaneously, and prednisone orally 10 mg daily, both on a continuous basis. Thirty patients were planned for accrual in each arm with interim analysis when accrual reached fifteen in each arm. The primary end-point was disease control defined as treatment response or stable disease >4 months. Radiological evaluation was performed every 6 weeks. Treatment was discontinued if patients had progressive disease or intolerable toxicity.

Results: Thirty patients were recruited. Fourteen patients had received ?3 previous regimens (median 3 (C), 2 (CDP)). Median performance statuses were ECOG 1 (C) and 0 (CDP). Nine patients achieved stable disease greater than 6 months (5 (C)/4 (CDP)). There was no statistical difference in the median survival time and time-to- progression for the two groups (11.1 mth (C)/15.8 mth (CDP); 3.2 mth (C)/2.8 mth (CDP)). The commonest toxicities overall were myelosuppression and hand-foot syndrome (HFS). The most common Grade 3+ adverse events were HFS (6 patients) and diarrhea (4 patients).

Conclusions: The combination of dalteparin, prednisone and capecitabine did not improve disease control over that seen with capecitabine in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer.