capecitabine + metronidazole + oxaliplatin

This is a combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of three drugs: - **Capecitabine** is an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor that interferes with DNA synthesis, leading to inhibition of cancer cell growth and division[1][3][8]. - **Oxaliplatin** is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent that forms DNA crosslinks, inhibiting DNA replication and transcription, resulting in cell death[2][7][9]. - **Metronidazole** is primarily an antimicrobial agent but can act as a radiosensitizer in oncology settings. In the context of rectal cancer treatment, it may be used to enhance the effects of radiotherapy by increasing tumor sensitivity to radiation-induced damage[4]. This specific combination has been studied as part of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy regimens for locally advanced fixed T4 rectal cancer. The regimen aims to improve surgical outcomes (R0 resection rate) and disease-free survival by combining cytotoxic chemotherapy with radiosensitization and local hyperthermia[4]. Capecitabine and oxaliplatin are commonly used together for gastrointestinal cancers such as colorectal, gastric, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers; the addition of metronidazole in this context serves primarily as a radiosensitizer rather than an antitumor agent on its own.

Other names

capecitabine + metronidazole + oxaliplatin