capecitabine + oxaliplatin ± bevacizumab

CAPOX is a chemotherapy regimen consisting of two drugs: capecitabine, an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin, a platinum-based cytotoxic agent. The regimen may be combined with bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Capecitabine inhibits DNA synthesis by interfering with thymidylate synthase after conversion to 5-FU in the body. Oxaliplatin forms DNA crosslinks that inhibit DNA replication and transcription. Bevacizumab blocks VEGF-A from binding its receptors on endothelial cells, inhibiting angiogenesis and thereby starving tumors of their blood supply. This combination is primarily used as first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer and has also been studied in other gastrointestinal cancers[1][2][3][4][5].

Brand names

Xeloda (capecitabine)Eloxatin (oxaliplatin)Avastin (bevacizumab)

Other names

capecitabine + oxaliplatin ± bevacizumabCAPOX ± bevacizumabXELOX ± bevacizumab