capecitabine glenmark

Capecitabine Glenmark is an oral antineoplastic agent that acts as a systemic prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Developed as a generic version of the reference product Xeloda by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, it belongs to the antimetabolite class of chemotherapy drugs. Upon oral administration, capecitabine is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and undergoes a three-step enzymatic conversion to its active form, 5-FU. The final step of this conversion is mediated by the enzyme thymidine phosphorylase, which is often found in higher concentrations within tumor tissues, potentially providing a degree of tumor-selective activation. The active metabolite, 5-FU, inhibits thymidylate synthase, thereby blocking the synthesis of thymidine triphosphate—an essential precursor for DNA synthesis. This interference leads to the inhibition of cell division and tumor growth. Capecitabine Glenmark is primarily utilized in the treatment of colorectal cancer (including rectal cancer), breast cancer, and gastric cancer. In the context of rectal cancer, it is frequently used as a component of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy to downstage tumors prior to surgical intervention.

Brand names

Capecitabine Glenmark

Other names

capecitabine