Capecitabine in treating patients with advanced, persistent, or recurrent cervical cancer: an active and safe option?. Issue 6 (3rd June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tomao, Federica; Caruso, Giuseppe; Musacchio, Lucia; Di Donato, Violante; Petrella, Maria Cristina; Verrico, Monica; Tomao, Silverio; Benedetti Panici, Pierluigi; Muzii, Ludovico; Palaia, Innocenza
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on drug safety. Volume 20:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 641
• Page End: 650
• Publication Date: 2021-06-03
• Subjects: Capecitabine -- chemotherapy -- metastatic cervical cancer -- recurrent cervical cancer -- 5-fluorouracil; Drugs -- Side effects -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Toxicology -- Periodicals; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.704
• DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2021.1887850
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-0338

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : Advanced, persistent or recurrent cervical cancer in patients not amenable to curative surgery or radiotherapy predicts a dismal prognosis. Systemic chemotherapy based on paclitaxel/cisplatin ± bevacizumab is the current standard of care. However, once progression occurs, the possibility of alternative treatment options is very limited. Areas covered : The usefulness of capecitabine has been well-established against several cancer types, including head and neck, breast, and colorectal cancer. This review covers current literature evidence on the clinical efficacy and safety of capecitabine in cervical cancer treatment, either as monotherapy or combined with other agents or chemo-radiotherapy. Expert opinion : Recent clinical data, albeit scant, suggested a promising role for capecitabine both as monotherapy in patients with platinum-resistant cervical cancer and in combination with cisplatin in chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer. In our opinion, capecitabine, especially in combination regimens, could represent a valid treatment option and further research is warranted to better understand its effectiveness in these challenging patients.