Capecitabine and Temozolomide (CAPTEM) in Advanced Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs): A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis

Giulia Arrivi; Monica Verrico; Michela Roberto; Giacomo Barchiesi; Antongiulio Faggiano; Paolo Marchetti; Federica Mazzuca; Silverio Tomao

doi:10.2147/CMAR.S372776

Capecitabine and Temozolomide (CAPTEM) in Advanced Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs): A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis

Cancer Manag Res. 2022 Dec 21:14:3507-3523. doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S372776. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant' Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
² Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, Medical Oncology Unit A, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
³ Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
⁴ Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, Sant 'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
⁵ Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata (IDI-IRCCS), Rome, Italy.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: Retrospective studies and single center experiences suggest a role of capecitabine combined with temozolomide (CAPTEM) in neuroendocrine tumors (NENs).

Methods: We performed a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of CAPTEM in patients affected with NENs, with the aim to better clarify the role of this regimen in the therapeutic algorithm of NENs.

Results: A total of 42 articles and 1818 patients were included in our review. The overall disease control rate was 77% (range 43.5%-100%). The median progression free survival ranged from 4 to 38.5 months, while the median overall survival ranged from 8 to 103 months. Safety analysis showed an occurrence of G3-G4 toxicities in 16.4% of the entire population. The most common toxicities were hematological (27.2%), gastrointestinal (8.3%,) and cutaneous (3.2%).

Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrated that CAPTEM was an effective and relatively safe treatment for patients with advanced well-moderate differentiated NENs of gastroenteropancreatic, lung and unknown origin.

Keywords: CAPTEM; NENs; capecitabine; chemotherapy; neuroendocrine; temozolomide.

Publication types

Review