Are capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) suitable treatments for progressing low-grade and high-grade neuroendocrine tumours?

Purpose: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX) in neuroendocrine tumours' (NETs) treatment. Methods: Forty patients (pts) with advanced NETs were treated. Of these, 13 had untreated poorly differentiated NETs, 27 had well-differentiated NETs in progression after somatostatin analogues. Patients received oxaliplatin e.v. 130 mg/mq i.v. and capecitabine 2,000 mg/mq/die. The primary sites of the disease were: lung (10 pts), pancreas (15 pts), small bowel (8 pts), unknown (1 pt), others (6 pts). Results: In 13 pts with poorly differentiated NETs objective responses (OR) were: 3 PR (23%), 1 SD (7%), 9 PD (70%). Biochemical responses were 11%. In 27 patients with well-differentiated NETs the OR were: 8 PR (30%), 13 SD (48%) and 6 PD (22%). Biochemical and symptomatic responses were 20 and 50%, respectively. Conclusions: The XELOX regimen is effective and tolerated in well-differentiated NETs after progression following somatostatin analogues.