A feasibility study of weekly docetaxel with capecitabine in ovarian cancer: A promising combination of two active drugs with a potential for synergism

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of weekly docetaxel with capecitabine in patients with recurrent/persistent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Patients and Methods: Women treated for recurrent/persistent EOC in our department (January 2004 through December 2005) were recruited into this feasibility study. They received 35 mg/m² docetaxel on days 1 and 8 and 1,000 mg/m² capecitabine twice daily on days 1-14 in a 21-day cycle. Results: Nine patients were enrolled. The median age was 64 years (37-80). Time to progression ranged from 1.67 to 11.27 months: 1 had complete response, 3 had partial responses, 4 had stable disease and 1 had disease progression. There was no grade 3 or 4 bone marrow toxicity. Nonhematological toxicity included partial hair loss (n = 4), fatigue (n = 7), hand and foot syndrome (n = 2), diarrhea (n = 5) and fluid retention syndrome (n = 1). Conclusion: There was good antitumor activity but frequent moderate-to-severe nonhematological toxicities when weekly docetaxel and capecitabine were used as second-line therapy for recurrent EOC. Further investigation of this combination is warranted.