capecitabine + celecoxib + oxaliplatin

This is a combination regimen consisting of three drugs—capecitabine, celecoxib, and oxaliplatin—used primarily in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. Capecitabine is an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) that inhibits thymidylate synthase, thereby interfering with DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells. Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent that forms DNA crosslinks and induces apoptosis in cancer cells. Celecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor; it may enhance the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy and radiation by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis and modulating tumor microenvironment inflammation. This triple-drug regimen has been studied as part of chemoradiation protocols to increase pathological complete response rates prior to surgery for operable rectal cancer[6]. The combination leverages both direct cytotoxicity (capecitabine/oxaliplatin) and potential radiosensitization/anti-inflammatory effects (celecoxib).

Other names

CAPOX + celecoxibXELOX + celecoxib