Prospective clinical study of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin concurrent chemoradiotherapy after radical resection of rectal cancer

BACKGROUND: To investigate the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine or oxaliplatin in locally advanced (T3-4/N + M0) rectal cancer. METHODS: 56 patients with rectal cancer after radical operation were randomly divided into CAPE-OX-CRT group: capecitabine + oxaliplatin concurrent chemoradiotherapy (30 cases), CAPE-CRT group: capecitabine concurrent chemoradiotherapy (control, 26 cases). RESULTS: The incidence of grade 1–2 acute toxicity in CAPE-OX-CRT group during concurrent CRT was significantly higher than that in control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Grade 3 toxicities were not statistically significant between the two groups (P > 0.05). No grade 4 toxicity was found in both groups. The incidences of interrupted or suspend concurrent chemotherapy in both groups were 19.23% and 46.67%, respectively, P < 0.05. The incidences of interruption or suspension of radiotherapy were 11.54% and 30% respectively (P > 0.05). The completion rate of adjuvant chemotherapy in control group was higher than that in CAPE-OX-CRT group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, the incidence of bone marrow suppression in CAPE-OX-CRT group was higher than that in control group (P < 0.05), and the incidence of non-hematologic adverse reactions was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Capecitabine combined oxaliplatin concurrent CRT, and oxaliplatin concurrent CRT have a good effect for treatment of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer after radical resection of rectal cancer.