Randomized phase II trial of capecitabine versus capecitabine, low molecular weight heparin, and prednisone in refractory colorectal carcinoma

e15126 Background: Capecitabine is widely used in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Continuous low dose chemotherapy has been postulated to have anti-angiogenic effects discrete from its anti-proliferative effects on tumors (metronomic therapy). Dalteparin and prednisone have also been implicated in inhibiting tumour angiogenesis and hypothesized to have additive benefit to chemotherapy. This randomized phase II study examined the additive effect of dalteparin and prednisone with capecitabine in metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were randomized to either capecitabine (C) 2,500 mg/m2 in divided doses from days 1–14 in a 3-week cycle or capecitabine with dalteparin and prednisone (CDP). There was no restriction on previous treatment, other than no prior capecitabine. Dalteparin was given at 5,000 units once daily subcutaneously, and prednisone orally 10 mg daily, both on a continuous basis. Thirty patients were planned for accrual in each arm with i...