Evaluation Of Quality Of Life (Qol) In Patients (Pts) With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (Mcrc) Treated With Capecitabine (X)

8090 Background: The oral fluoropyrimidine X has superior efficacy and improved safety compared with 5-FU/LV in MCRC and early-stage colon cancer. Consequently, X is replacing 5-FU/LV as the backbone of MCRC therapy and is now moving into the adjuvant setting. The QoL benefits of oral agents like X over traditional i.v. drugs are becoming increasingly important in MCRC alongside well-established measures of treatment response. Methods: Pts with MCRC who received standard oral X (1250 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1–14, every 3 weeks) completed EORTC QLQ C-30 (v3.0) and CR-38 questionnaires at baseline, before cycle 1, at weeks 7 and 13, and at the end of treatment. The proportion of pts with improvement, stabilization or worsening of QoL scores from week 7 was analyzed using linear models with repeated measures (generalized estimating questions technique) and SAS (v8.2). Results: Here we report QoL findings in 693 pts (M/F, 50%/50%); median age 59 years (20–89); median ECOG PS 1 (0–3); majority Caucasian (85%). Almost half of the pts completed the QoL questionnaires through to the end of treatment. At least 60% of pts experienced improved or maintained QoL for most domains. Overall global health status score was improved or maintained in 39% and 30% of female pts, respectively. Female pts also had significant improvements in emotional functioning (p<0.0001), pain (p=0.0024), future perspective (p<0.0001), defecation problems (p=0.0296), and weight loss (p<0.0001). In male pts, X led to significant improvements in global health status (p=0.0005), constipation (p=0.0009), future perspective (p=0.0002), sexual functioning (p=0.0269), and weight loss (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Treatment with X led to improvements or maintenance of QoL in most pts. These data support its increasing use in the first-line and adjuvant settings. The efficacy, safety and convenience benefits of X as reported previously allow pts with MCRC to maintain a normal lifestyle and have a direct impact on QoL. No significant financial relationships to disclose.