The Role of Capecitabine in the Management of Tumors of the Digestive System

Constantine      Gennatas; Vasiliki      Michalaki; Spyridon      Gennatas

Abstract

Capecitabine has been developed as a prodrug of FU, with the goal of improving tolerability and intratumor drug concentration through tumor-specific conversion to the active drug. The purpose of this article is to review the available information on capecitabine with respect to clinical efficacy for tumors of the digestive tract, adverse – effect profile, documented drug interactions, dosage and administration, and future directions of ongoing research. Relevant Englishlanguage literature was identified through searches of NCI, PubMed, ASCO.org and ESMO, ECCO meetings proceedings.

Keywords: Capecitabine, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, gastroesophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatic cancer, biliary tract cancer, gallbladder cancer, pancreatic cancer