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Protracted venous infusion 5-fluorouracil (5FU) combined with mitomycin C (MMC) has demonstrated significant activity against metastatic colorectal cancer. Owing to potential synergy based upon upregulation of thymidine phosphorylase by MMC, the combination of capecitabine and MMC may improve outcomes in irinotecan-refractory disease. Eligible patients with progressive disease during or within 6 months of second-line chemotherapy were treated with capecitabine (1250 mg m(-2) twice daily) days 1-14 every 3 weeks and MMC (7 mg m(-2) IV bolus) once every 6 weeks. A total of 36 patients were recruited, with a median age of 64 years (range 40-77), and 23 patients (78%) were performance status 0-1. The objective response rate was 15.2%. In all, 48.5% of patients had stable disease. Median failure-free survival was 5.4 months (95% CI 4.6-6.2). Median overall survival was 9.3 months (95% CI: 6.9-11.7). Grade 3 toxicities were palmar-plantar erythema 16.7%, vomiting 8.3%, diarrhoea 2.8%, anaemia 8.3%, and neutropenia 2.8%. No patients developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Symptomatic improvement occurred for pain, bowel symptoms, and dyspnoea. Capecitabine in combination with MMC is an effective regimen for metastatic colorectal cancer resistant to 5FU and irinotecan with an acceptable toxicity profile and a convenient administration schedule.

This study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of capecitabine and mitomycin C (MMC) in previously untreated patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients received capecitabine 2500 mg m(2) day 1, orally divided in two doses of 1250 mg m(-2) in the morning and evening for 14 days every 21 days and MMC 7 mg m(-2) (maximum total dose 14 mg) as an intravenous bolus every 6 weeks for a total of four courses. The median age was 70 years (range 24-85) and the majority of patients (86.9%) were of performance status 1/2. The most common metastatic site was liver. In all, 84 patients were assessable for response. The overall response rate was 38% (95% CI: 27.7-49.3) and a further 33.3% of patients achieved stable disease over 12 weeks. There was good symptom resolution ranging from 64 to 86%. Grade 3/4 toxicity was as follows: hand-foot syndrome 19.7%; diarrhoea 10%; neutropenia 2.4%; infection 2.3%. Capecitabine and MMC have shown encouraging activity with a favourable toxicity profile, a convenient administration schedule, and could be considered for patients deemed unsuitable for oxaliplatin and irinotecan combinations.