A Phase II Study of Bevacizumab, Irinotecan and Capecitabine in Patients With Previously Untreated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Bevacizumab has recently been shown to improve survival when combined with chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer. Bevacizumab is usually given together with infusional 5-FU, which requires a central line. A central line is inconvenient for patients, and may increase risk of infection, and thrombosis. Furthermore, a central line increases resource demands for interventional radiology, chemo daycare. Capecitabine is administered orally, and converted to 5-FU intracellularly. Chronic administration of capecitabine mimics infusional 5-FU. This study is designed to evaluate whether the combination of irinotecan, capecitabine and bevacizumab is effective as a first-line therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.