Capecitabine Plus Bevacizumab as First-Line Therapy for Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer and Poor Performance Status

Background: The benefit of chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer has not been established. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness of chemotherapy with capecitabine and bevacizumab for patients with a performance status (PS) of 3. Results: Seven patients were included; median age was 82 years (range, 65-91 years). Response was not ascertained; however, the disease control rate was 83.3%. Median PFS and OS were 10.0 and 25.8 months, respectively. Hand-foot syndrome was the most common toxicity observed (3 patients; 42.9%). Grade 3 toxicity was observed in 1 patient with proteinuria and 1 with hypertension. Conclusion: Chemotherapy using capecitabine and bevacizumab appeared to improve OFS and OS for patients with poor PS. However, care must be taken not to impose unnecessary burdens on patients with poor PS.