Purpose: Capecitabine-Temozolomide (CapTem) is an oral chemotherapy regimen for NETs. Both drugs are radiosensitizers. Integrating CapTem and Y90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) in patients with grade 2 neuroendocrine tumor (NET) liver metastases achieved an encouraging objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) in a feasibility study. This study expands that report to a larger cohort with longer follow-up.
Methods: Therapy consisted of monthly cycles of capecitabine 600 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days and temozolomide 150-200 mg/m2 on day 10-14. Simulation angiography was performed during the initial cycle. The dominant lobe was treated with 90Y-resin microspheres using BSA dosimetry on day 7 of the second cycle of CapTem. Patients with bilobar disease had the other lobe treated on day 7 of the third or fourth cycle. CapTem was continued until progression or intolerance. Clinical and laboratory assessment was done monthly and imaging every 3 months.
Results: 35/37 patients completed the prescribed regimen. Primary sites of disease were pancreas (16), lung (10), gut (7) and unknown (4). Mean duration of CapTem was 12 months (range, 4-32 months). ORR in the liver was 72% with a disease control rate of 100%. Median PFS was 36 months (95% CI, 25-45 months). Median overall survival was 41 months (95% CI, 24-87 months) from initiation of CapTemY90 therapy and 130 months (95% CI, 56-172 months) from initial diagnosis.
Conclusion: Chemoradiation with CapTem and TARE provided durable control of G2 NET liver metastases for substantially longer than expectations for embolotherapy or chemotherapy alone.
Keywords: Chemotherapy; Neuroendocrine tumor; Radioembolization.
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