Oxaliplatin + capecitabine + radiotherapy

Oxaliplatin + capecitabine + radiotherapy is a combination regimen used primarily in the neoadjuvant (preoperative) treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent that causes DNA crosslinking and inhibits DNA synthesis, leading to cell death. Capecitabine is an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which inhibits thymidylate synthase, disrupting DNA synthesis and repair in rapidly dividing cells. Radiotherapy uses ionizing radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, enhancing local tumor control. The combination aims to increase tumor downstaging, improve resectability rates, and enhance sphincter preservation compared to chemotherapy or radiation alone[5][7]. This regimen has been shown feasible and generally well tolerated in phase I/II studies for rectal cancer[5]. The addition of oxaliplatin to capecitabine and radiotherapy has been evaluated for its potential benefit over standard fluorouracil-based chemoradiation; however, recent evidence suggests single-agent capecitabine with radiation may offer similar efficacy with improved tolerability.

Other names

XELOX with radiotherapyCAPOX with radiotherapy