PURPOSE: Capecitabine has shown similar efficacy to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU); a 
regimen containing 2 weeks of capecitabine/oxaliplatin (CapOx) has demonstrated 
noninferiority to infusional 5-FU/oxaliplatin/leucovorin (FOLFOX) for the 
treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This phase II study explores 
the efficacy and safety of a 2-day course of oxaliplatin/capecitabine (2DOC), 
with oxaliplatin given on day 1 and capecitabine given orally every 8 hours in 
high doses over 6 doses, mimicking FOLFOX6.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: This phase II study was conducted by the University of 
Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Eligible patients with mCRC received 
oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2 intravenously (I.V.) over 2 hours followed by leucovorin 
20 mg/m2 I.V. bolus and 5-FU 400 mg/m2 I.V. bolus on day 1 and day 15. 
Capecitabine was administered at 1500 mg/m2 orally every 8 hours over 6 doses 
starting on day 1 and day 15.
RESULTS: A total of 45 patients were enrolled; 44 were evaluated for response. 
Seventeen patients (39%) had objective responses. Median time to progression was 
6.8 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 17.5 months. The most common 
side effects were grade 1/2 neuropathy, fatigue, and nausea. Severe hand-foot 
syndrome (HFS) was rare.
CONCLUSION: The overall response rate with the 2DOC regimen is similar to 
published CapOx regimens, and time to progression and OS are similar. The 
incidence of HFS, diarrhea, and mucositis were lower compared with published 
results of 2-week schedules of capecitabine. The 2DOC regimen merits further 
study as a more convenient regimen than infusional 5-FU with less HFS when 
compared with a 2-week administration of capecitabine.