预后营养指数与晚期结直肠癌患者三线治疗的生存相关性分析

目的 探讨营养预后指数与接受替吉奥联合阿帕替尼治疗的晚期三线结直肠癌患者的疗效的相关性。方法 回顾性收集接受阿帕替尼联合替吉奥治疗的43例三线结直肠癌患者的临床资料，计算预后营养指数（PNI）、白蛋白/球蛋白比值（AGR）、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、血小板/淋巴细胞比值（PLR）以及淋巴细胞/单核细胞比值（LMR）等营养免疫评估指标，采用Cox比例风险回归模型及Kaplan-Meier生存曲线评价相关免疫营养指标对于患者生存的影响。 结果 根据总生存时间（OS）的受试者工作特征曲线 （ROC）曲线分析，PNI最佳临界值定义为47.08；单因素分析结果显示，美国东部肿瘤协作组（ECOG）评分、PNI、AGR、血红蛋白（HGB）、NLR及LMR与患者OS显著相关；多变量分析显示ECOG评分及PNI是OS的独立预后因素。低PNI患者中位生存时间（mOS）为5.70个月（95%CI=4.42~6.98），高PNI患者mOS为15.77个月（95%CI=7.43~24.1），P=0.000；低PNI的患者中位无进展生存时间（mPFS）为3.42个月（95%CI=2.31~4.53），高PNI患者mPFS为6.29个月（95%CI=4.96~7.62），P=0.003。结论 PNI在作为晚期结直肠癌接受替吉奥联合阿帕替尼三线治疗的生存预测方面具有较好临床应用价值，简单易行。     

预后营养指数预测转移性胰腺癌一线化疗疗效及预后

目的 探讨了预后营养指数(PNI)对转移性胰腺癌患者预后及一线化疗疗效的预测价值。方法 回顾性分析2017年4月至2022年2月武汉大学中南医院肿瘤放化疗科接受一线化疗的83例转移性胰腺癌患者的临床资料及随访资料,计算PNI值;根据受试者操作特征曲线(ROC曲线)确定PNI预测转移性胰腺癌患者总生存(OS)的最佳截止点;根据最佳截止点将患者分为低PNI组(34例)与高PNI组(49例);采用Cox比例风险回归模型及Kaplan-Meier曲线研究PNI对于转移性胰腺癌患者生存的预测价值。结果 根据ROC曲线,确定PNI最佳截止点为43.10。PNI与转移性胰腺癌患者一线化疗的客观缓解率、无进展生存时间(mPFS)及OS显著相关。全组患者的mPFS和中位总生存时间(mOS)分别为4.61(95%CI=3.92～5.30)和9.05(95%CI=8.20～9.89)个月。低PNI组与高PNI组的转移性胰腺癌患者一线化疗客观缓解率分别为5.9%和32.7%(P<0.05)。低PNI组与高PNI组的患者mPFS分别为2.96个月(95%CI=2.53～3.47)与5.67个月(95%CI...     

食管鳞癌患者预后营养指数与炎症反应标志物相关性 分析

目的探讨预后营养指数对食管鳞状细胞癌（简称鳞癌）手术治疗患者的预后意义及其与全身炎症反应标志物的相 关性。方法回顾性分析2017年12月至2018年10月在四川省肿瘤医院接受食管癌根治手术治疗的食管鳞癌患者临床资料,计 算患者预后营养指数（PNI）、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、淋巴细胞与单核细胞比值（LMR）、血小板与淋巴细胞比值 （PLR）等指标,通过Spearman分析PNI与全身炎症反应标志物的相关性,采用Kaplan‐Meier生存曲线和Cox 比例风险回归模型 分析不同PNI水平对食管鳞癌手术治疗患者预后的影响。结果PNI与LMR呈正相关（R=0.514,P<0.001）,与NLR（R=-0.401, P<0.001）和PLR（R=-0.591,P<0.001）呈负相关。单因素分析结果显示,年龄（P=0.13）、LMR（P=0.004）、NLR（P=0.018）、PNI（P= 0.017）与患者总生存期显著相关,进一步多因素分析结果显示,年龄（OR=1.676,95%CI=1.056~2.661,P=0.028）与PNI（OR= 0.589,95%CI=0.370~0.939,P=0.026）是总生存期的独立预后因素。PNI≥45.26及年龄<65岁预示食管癌根治术患者的预后较 好。结论PNI是接受食管癌根治术的食管鳞癌患者生存结局的重要预测指标。     

NLR联合AGR评估食管鳞状细胞癌患者预后的临床价值

目的 探讨中性粒细胞-淋巴细胞计数比率 (NLR)、白蛋白-球蛋白比率(AGR)与食管鳞状细胞癌(ESCC)患者总 生存(OS)期的关系,评估两项指标联合对预测 ESCC 患者预后的应用价值。 方法 本研究回顾性分析了自 2015 年 01 月至 2019 年 12 月间于南通大学附属如皋医院首诊并接受手术治疗的 144 例 ESCC 患者的血常规、血生化检测结果与随访数据。 通过受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线确定 NLR、AGR 的最佳临界值,利用曲线下面积(AUC)评估各指标对 ESCC 患者 OS 期的预 测效能。 通过 Kaplan-Meier 曲线及 Cox 单、多变量回归分析评估两种预测指标的预后价值。 结果 根据期曲线,NLR 与 AGR 预测 ESCC 患者 OS 期的最佳截断值分别为 1. 45 和 1. 48, AUC 值分别为 0. 713 (95%CI = 0. 628 ~ 0. 797)和 0. 673 (95%CI = 0. 584~ 0. 761)。 Kaplan-Meier 曲线展示高 NLR( >1. 45)与低 NLR(≤1. 45)组患者的中位 OS 期分别为 51. 8 个月(95%CI = 36. 2~ 67. 3)和 20. 1 个月(95%CI = 14. 1~ 26. 2),差异有统计学意义(χ 2 = 20. 474, P<0. 001)。 术前低 AGR 值( <1. 48)与 ESCC 患者不良预后显著相关[中位 OS 期:22. 5 个月 (95%CI = 15. 1 ~ 29. 9)比 43. 3 个月 (95%CI = 25. 7 ~ 60. 8)],差异有统计 学意义 (χ 2 = 6. 749, P= 0. 009)。 单、多变量 Cox 分析证实淋巴结转移(HR = 3. 626, 95%CI = 2. 152 ~ 6. 110,P<0. 001)、NLR (HR= 1. 960, 95%CI = 1. 198~ 3. 207,P= 0. 007)与 AGR (HR= 1. 791, 95%CI = 1. 099 ~ 2. 920,P = 0. 019)是 ESCC 患者的独立 预后因素。 此外,我们发现 NLR 联合 AGR 评分(0 分:NLR≤1. 45 且 AGR≥1. 48;1 分: NLR>1. 45 或 AGR<1. 48;2 分:NLR> 1. 45 且 AGR<1. 48 )能够进一步分层 ESCC 患者的预后,患者评分越高,预后越差。 0 分、1 分与 2 分患者的中位 OS 期分别为 56. 6 个月(95%CI = 40. 2~ 67. 3)、29. 9 个月(95%CI = 20. 1~ 39. 8)和 18. 2 个月(95%CI = 12. 1~ 24. 3),组间差异有统计学意义 (0 分比 1 分: χ 2 = 6. 795, P= 0. 009;0 分比 2 分: χ 2 = 19. 529, P<0. 001;1 分比 2 分: χ 2 = 7. 011, P = 0. 008)。 结论 NLR 与 AGR 是评估 ESCC 患者预后的敏感指标,两者联合可以更有效地识别预后不良患者,进而提供更为详尽的预后分层。     

预后营养指数在非小细胞肺癌患者预后评估中的应用研究

目的 探讨预后营养指数(PNI)预测非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)预后的临床应用价值。 方法 回顾性收集 2017 年 1 月 至 2019 年 1 月南通大学附属海安医院行手术治疗的 150 例 NSCLC 患者的临床资料与生存数据,计算每例患者的 PNI 值(外 周血淋巴细胞计数×5+血清白蛋白值)。 通过受试者操作特征曲线(ROC 曲线)确定 PNI 的最佳截止点,采用 Kaplan-Meier 曲 线及多因素 Cox 回归分析评估 PNI 在 NSCLC 患者中的预后意义。 结果 ROC 曲线展示术前 PNI 预测 NSCLC 患者总生存 (OS)期的最佳截止点为 42. 6,曲线下面积(AUC)值为 0. 766(95%CI = 0. 605 ~ 0. 928),敏感度为 73. 3%,特异度为 77. 8%。 基于此截止点将所有患者分为高 PNI 组(≥42. 6,n = 108)与低 PNI 组(PNI<42. 6,n = 42)。 比较两组患者的一般资料及临床 病理特征后,发现低 PNI( < 42. 6) 与高龄(P = 0. 011)、美国东部肿瘤协作组(ECOG) 评分(P = 0. 041) 及肿瘤 T 分期 (P< 0. 001)显著相关。 Kaplan-Meier 曲线表明 PNI<42. 6 与 PNI≥42. 6 组患者的 3 年 OS 率分别为 65. 5%与 96. 3%,差异有统计 学意义 (χ 2 = 21. 922,P<0. 001),术前低 PNI 提示 NSCLC 患者预后不佳。 多因素 Cox 回归分析进一步证实 ECOG 评分(HR = 4. 192,95%CI = 1. 136~ 15. 465,P= 0. 031)、T 分期(HR = 6. 832,95%CI = 2. 014 ~ 23. 178,P = 0. 002)、淋巴结转移(HR = 2. 836, 95%CI = 1. 001~ 8. 038,P= 0. 048)与术前低 PNI(HR= 5. 069,95%CI = 1. 330 ~ 19. 317,P = 0. 017)是影响 NSCLC 患者预后的独 立风险因素。 结论 术前 PNI 或许可以作为一项评估 NSCLC 患者预后的可靠指标,具有一定的临床应用价值。     

PD-1抑制剂联合化疗治疗晚期食管鳞状细胞癌的疗效评估及预后分析

目的 探讨免疫治疗联合化疗对Ⅲ～Ⅳ期食管鳞状细胞癌(ESCC)的治疗效果和相关预后因素。方法 回顾性收集2019-01-01-2021-05-31徐州医科大学附属医院免疫抑制剂联合化疗治疗Ⅲ～Ⅳ期116例ESCC患者的临床病历资料。采用生存分析评估治疗效果。同时纳入中性粒细胞淋巴细胞比值(NLR)、血小板淋巴细胞比值(PLR)、全身炎症指数(SII)、预后营养指数(PNI)和淋巴细胞单核细胞比值(LMR),通过受试者工作特征分析获取最佳截断值,并以该截断值分组。以多变量Cox比例风险模型分析影响患者生存的预后因素。结果 共纳入116例免疫治疗Ⅲ～Ⅳ期ESCC患者,中位随访时间为501 d(95%CI为523～591 d)。其中接受卡瑞丽珠单抗治疗81例,替雷利珠单抗13例,信迪利单抗22例。所有患者均接受了≥2次治疗,既往治疗的中位数为1次,ECOG PS Score中位数为0。在数据截断日期,中位总生存期为493 d, 1年的总生存率为56%。多变量Cox比例风险模型结果显示,只有SII(HR=2.73,95%CI为1.04～7.20,P=0.042)和PNI(HR=0.32,95%...     

营养免疫与系统炎症参数在非小细胞肺癌患者中的预 后意义

目的 比较评估3种营养免疫与系统炎症反应指标预后营养指数（PNI）,格拉斯哥预后评分（GPS）及控制营养状态（CONUT） 评分在非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者中的预后预测价值。方法 本研究以2014年9月至2018年5月于南通大学附属海安医院接受 根治性手术治疗的186例NSCLC患者为研究对象,根据PNI、GPS和COUNT进行分组。通过Kaplan⁃Meier生存曲线及受试者工作 特征（ROC）曲线分别评估术前PNI、GPS及CONUT评分在NSCLC患者中的预后意义。此外,通过Cox多因素回归分析明确影响 NSCLC患者预后的独立预测因素。结果 基于CONUT评分将NSCLC患者分为两组,结果发现CONUT≥2分组的总生存（OS）期显 著短于CONUT 0~1分组,3年OS率分别为70.6%与94.0%,差异有统计学意义（χ²=29.249;P<0.001);类似地,以45.0作为PNI的临 界值,将患者分为PNI>45.0组与PNI≤ 45.0组,结果表明PNI≤ 45.0与NSCLC患者不良预后显著相关（3年OS率: 66.5%比 92.6%; χ²=28.686;P<0.001)。另外,Kaplan⁃Meier 生存曲线展示GPS 2分与GPS 0~1分者的3年OS率分别为61.7%和90.7%,差异有统计 学意义（χ²=18.499;P<0.001)。ROC曲线显示术前CONUT评分、PNI值与GPS评分的曲线下面积（AUC）值分别为0.753 (95%CI= 0.659~0.846)、0.734 (95%CI=0.629-0.839）及0.669 (95%CI=0.552~0.786)。多因素的Cox回归分析证实术前CONUT评分(HR=4.068; 95%CI=1.310~12.631; P=0.015), PNI (HR=4.043;95%CI=1.585~10.307;P=0.003）和TNM分期（HR=2.428;95%CI=1.153~5.111, P =0.020）是NSCLC患者预后的独立影响因素。结论 术前PNI与CONUT评分是NSCLC患者的独立预后因素,二者均可作为NSCLC 患者预后评估中一项简便、实用的血液学指标。     

NLR和LMR对EGFR-TKIs治疗EGFR突变阳性非小细胞肺癌预后的预测价值

目的:探讨治疗前血清中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio,NLR）和淋巴细胞与单核细胞比值（lympho cyte to monocyte ratio,LMR）对表皮生长因子受体-酪氨酸激酶抑制剂（epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors,EGFR-TKIs）治疗EGFR突变阳性非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)患者预后的预测价值。方法:回顾性分析112例EGFR突变阳性并接受了EGFR-TKIs治疗的Ⅳ期NSCLC患者的临床资料,根据接受者操作特征曲线（ROC）分析确定的NLR和LMR的最佳分界值,将患者分为高、低水平两组,比较不同分组之间的无进展生存时间（progression free survival,PFS）和总生存时间（overall survival,OS）,通过Cox比例风险模型分析影响PFS和OS的独立预后因素。结果:根据ROC曲线,NLR=2.92,LMR=3.81作为评价的分界值。低NLR组和高NLR组的PFS分别为15.6个月和10.5个月（P＜0.001）,OS分别为26.9个月和19.3个月（P=0.003）;高LMR组和低LMR组的PFS分别为13.4个月和11.5个月（P=0.024）,OS分别为26.2个月和21.8个月（P=0.020）。通过多因素分析发现,ECOG评分和NLR是影响患者PFS和OS的独立预后因素。结论:治疗前血清NLR水平可作为预测EGFR-TKIs治疗EGFR突变阳性Ⅳ期NSCLC患者的预后因子。     

呋喹替尼联合信迪利单抗治疗晚期微卫星稳定型结直肠癌疗效观察

目的 观察呋喹替尼联合信迪利单抗治疗晚期微卫星稳定型结直肠癌的临床治疗效果及安全性。方法 收集44例晚期微卫星稳定型结直肠癌患者,根据治疗方法分为呋喹替尼单药组（n=22）和呋喹替尼联合信迪利单抗组（n=22）。治疗方案：呋喹替尼单药组口服呋喹替尼5 mg,每日1次,服用3周停药1周,每28天为1周期;呋喹替尼联合信迪利单抗组静脉滴注信迪利单抗200 mg,每3周1次、呋喹替尼方案同单药组,并分析临床效果及不良反应。结果 呋喹替尼单药组患者客观缓解率（ORR）为9.09%,疾病控制率（DCR）为45.45%;呋喹替尼联合信迪利单抗组患者ORR为18.18%, DCR为63.64%;呋喹替尼单药组中位无进展生存期（mPFS）为4.4(2.1, 8.2)个月,呋喹替尼联合信迪利单抗组患者中位PFS为6.7(3.9, 12.6)个月,两组差异有统计学意义（χ2=4.372, P=0.037）。两组患者治疗过程中的不良反应多为1～2级,且差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 呋喹替尼联合信迪利单抗较呋喹替尼单药治疗可给经标准治疗失败后的晚期微卫星稳定型结直肠癌患者带来更好的临床获益,...     

治疗前外周血炎性标志物对EGFR突变阳性晚期非小细胞肺癌患者的预后价值研究

  目的  探讨治疗前外周血炎性标志物在表皮生长因子受体（epidermal growth factor receptor，EGFR）阳性晚期非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer，NSCLC）患者中的预后作用。  方法  回顾性分析2015年1月至2018年10月中国人民解放军总医院第五医学中心142例EGFR突变阳性晚期NSCLC患者临床资料。通过受试者工作特征曲线（receiver operating characteristic curve，ROC）确定中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞计数比值（neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio，NLR）、血小板与淋巴细胞计数比值（platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio，PLR）、系统免疫炎症指数（systemic immune-inflammation index，SII）和淋巴细胞与单核细胞计数比值（lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio，LMR）的最佳临界值，应用Kaplan-Meier方法进行生存分析。Cox比例风险模型评估各变量的预测价值。  结果  NLR、PLR、SII和LMR的最佳临界值分别为2.60、167.32、687.39和3.13。根据最佳临界值分别将研究对象分为高值组和低值组，高NLR、PLR和SII组的中位无进展生存期（median progression-free survival，mPFS）及中位总生存期（median overall survival，mOS）均显著低于低值组中相应值，高LMR组mPFS及mOS较低LMR组延长。  结论  治疗前升高的NLR、PLR、SII和降低的LMR可能与接受靶向治疗的EGFR突变阳性晚期NSCLC患者的不良预后相关。      

Experience with Impedance Phlebography Compared with Venography

Venography is a particularly reliable method for the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis but is not suitable as a screening test. Impedance phlebography represents another attempt to discover a simple, non-invasive and reliable method of detecting deep venous thrombosis. It does not, however, meet these criteria.     

Compliance with guidelines and correlation with outcome in patients with advanced germ-cell tumours

PurposeTo evaluate prior compliance with guidelines in patients treated with salvage chemotherapy for advanced germ-cell tumours (GCT).Patients and methodsData concerning the initial management of patients requiring salvage chemotherapy for GCT at Institut Gustave Roussy between 2000 and 2010 were obtained and correlated with recommendations for treatment. Criteria of non-compliance were defined based on guidelines. Compliance with guidelines, predictive factors for non-compliance and the impact on outcome were analysed.ResultsAmong 82 patients treated in the salvage setting, guidelines to initial treatment were followed in only 41 cases (50%). The most common non-compliance criteria were non-adherence to the planned dose (16%), an inappropriate interval between first-line chemotherapy cycles (16%), the lack of post-chemotherapy surgery (16%) and a long interval to post-chemotherapy surgery (48%). Compliance with standard care was better in cancer centres than in other hospitals (private or public) (Odd Ratio (OR): 6.9, P = 0.001). A poor-risk status according to the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) was also predictive of compliance in univariate but not in multivariate analysis. No significant difference in outcome after salvage chemotherapy was observed. Patients relapsing after non-compliant first-line therapy tended to be more easily salvaged, which is consistent with the fact that their initial treatment was inadequate. Some of these relapses were therefore probably not due to true biologically refractory disease.ConclusionGuidelines for first-line treatment are adhered to in only half the patients requiring salvage chemotherapy. As the only predictive factor for non-compliance was the treating centre, centralisation of patients with GCT in well-trained hospitals should be recommended.     

Treatment with methylnaltrexone is associated with increased survival in patients with advanced cancer

BackgroundMethylnaltrexone (MNTX), a peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor (MOR) antagonist, is FDA-approved for treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC). Preclinical data suggest that MOR activation can play a role in cancer progression and can be a target for anticancer therapy.Patients and methodsPooled data from advanced end-stage cancer patients with OIC, despite laxatives, treated in two randomized (phase III and IV), placebo-controlled trials with MNTX were analyzed for overall survival (OS) in an unplanned post hoc analysis. MNTX or placebo was given subcutaneously during the double-blinded phase, which was followed by the open-label phase, allowing MNTX treatment irrespective of initial randomization.ResultsIn two randomized, controlled trials, 229 cancer patients were randomized to MNTX (117, 51%) or placebo (112, 49%). Distribution of patients' characteristics and major tumor types did not significantly differ between arms. Treatment with MNTX compared with placebo [76 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) 43–109 versus 56 days, 95% CI 43–69; P = 0.033] and response (laxation) to treatment compared with no response (118 days, 95% CI 59–177 versus 55 days, 95% CI 40–70; P < 0.001) had a longer median OS, despite 56 (50%) of 112 patients ultimately crossing over from placebo to MNTX. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that response to therapy [hazard ratio (HR) 0.47, 95% CI 0.29–0.76; P = 0.002) and albumin ≥3.5 (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.30–0.69; P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for increased OS. Of interest, there was no difference in OS between MNTX and placebo in 134 patients with advanced illness other than cancer treated in these randomized studies (P = 0.88).ConclusionThis unplanned post hoc analysis of two randomized trials demonstrates that treatment with MNTX and, even more so, response to MNTX are associated with increased OS, which supports the preclinical hypothesis that MOR can play a role in cancer progression. Targeting MOR with MNTX warrants further investigation in cancer therapy.Clinical trials numberNCT00401362, NCT00672477.     

Living with secondary breast cancer: coping with an uncertain future with unmet needs

JOHNSTON S.R.D. (2010) European Journal of Cancer Care 19 , 561–563 Living with secondary breast cancer: coping with an uncertain future with unmet needs     

奥沙利铂联合羟基喜树碱治疗晚期胃癌临床分析

背景与目的体外及体内的临床研究显示,奥沙利铂(L-OHP)对多种肿瘤有显著抑制作用并与绝大多数抗癌药物具有相加或协同细胞毒作用.本文旨在观察L-OHP联合羟基喜树碱(HCPT)治疗晚期胃癌的近期疗效和患者耐受性,并与传统的化疗方案进行对比.方法采用非随机的分组方法将43例晚期胃癌患者分为L-OHP+HCPT方案组(治疗组)与Vp-16+CF+5-FU(ELF)方案组(对照组),其中男性28例,女性15例,中位年龄59岁,KPS评分≥60,观察两组的近期疗效和患者耐受性.结果治疗组24例有效率58.3%(14/24),对照组19例有效率42.1%(8/19).治疗组有效率高于对照组,两组差异有显著性(P<0.05).两组不良反应主要是骨髓抑制、恶心、呕吐、口腔炎、周围神经炎、静脉炎、脱发等,均在Ⅰ、Ⅱ度范围内.结论L-OHP联合HCPT方案治疗晚期胃癌疗效较好,不良反应可以耐受.     

Varicella-Zoster Virus Prophylaxis with Low-Dose Acyclovir in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Treated with Bortezomib

BackgroundVaricella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation is a common complication in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated with bortezomib, with an incidence rate of 10%-60%. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of acyclovir prophylaxis in this patient population.Patients and MethodsWe studied 98 consecutive patients with relapsed MM treated with bortezomib. Bortezomib 1.3 mg/m² was given on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of a 21-day cycle. At first, patients did not receive any VZV prophylaxis, but because of the high incidence of VZV reactivation, VZV prophylaxis with acyclovir was implemented subsequently.ResultsA total of 11 patients treated with bortezomib did not have any VZV prophylaxis, and 4 of these 11 patients (36%) developed VZV reactivation in the form of herpes zoster. No VZV reactivations were observed in the 32 patients who received acyclovir 400 mg 3 times daily or the 55 patients who received acyclovir in a dose reduced to 400 mg once daily during bortezomib treatment.ConclusionVaricellazoster virus reactivation is a common and serious adverse effect of bortezomib treatment. Acyclovir 400 mg once daily is sufficient to protect from VZV reactivation in patients with MM treated with bortezomib.     

Costs associated with complications are lower with capecitabine than with 5‐fluorouracil in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND:

Capecitabine, an oral alternative to 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), has equal clinical efficacy and a favorable safety profile; however, its use may be limited because of unit cost concerns. In this study, the authors measured the cost of chemotherapy‐related complications during treatment with capecitabine‐ and 5‐FU–based regimens.

METHODS:

Patients with CRC who received at least 1 administration of capecitabine or 5‐FU during 2004 and 2005 were identified from the Thomson MarketScan research databases. Monthly frequency and cost for 23 complications were recorded. Logistic regression was used to predict complication probability. General linear models were used to predict monthly complication cost and total monthly expenditure.

RESULTS:

In total, 4973 patients with CRC met the inclusion criteria for this analysis. Although the most frequently observed complications were the same between capecitabine and 5‐FU (nausea and vomiting, infection, anemia, neutropenia, diarrhea), each was observed with greater frequency in 5‐FU–based regimens. The mean predicted monthly complication cost was significantly higher (by 136%) with 5‐FU monotherapy than with capecitabine monotherapy (difference, $601; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], $469‐$737). In addition, the mean predicted monthly complication cost for 5‐FU+oxaliplatin was higher than the cost with capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (difference, $1165; 95% CI, $892‐$1595). When acquisition, administration, and complication costs were taken into consideration, there were no significant differences in the total cost between capecitabine regimens and 5‐FU regimens.

CONCLUSIONS:

Capecitabine compared well with 5‐FU–based therapy in patients with CRC and was associated with lower complication rates and associated costs. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.