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Xeloda (capecitabine) is an orally-administered chemotherapy drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients with advanced-stage breast cancer or colorectal cancer. Studies have shown that the drug can improve the quality of life for patients facing the late stages of these cancers.Forbes.com: Chemotherapy Superior to New Drug for Early Breast Cancer (May 12, 2009)
According to oncologist Eng-Huat Tan, the drug can cause hand-foot syndrome, which over time can erase the fingerprints of one using the medication. A 62-year-old long-time user of the drug was initially denied entry to the United States after his fingerprints could not be read by customs officials. The man has since changed medications and carries a doctor's note when traveling internationally.CNN: Cancer Drug Erases Man's Fingerprints, Doctor Says
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Fast Facts
- Manufacturer: Roche Laboratories, Inc.
- Approved by FDA on April 30, 1998
- Available by prescription only
- Active ingredient: Capecitabine
- Strengths: 150mg and 500mg
- Form: Tablets
- Uses: Advanced-stage treatment of colorectal and breast cancersFDA.gov: Xeloda Patient Information Sheet
- Shown to improve quality of lifeFDA.gov: Xeloda Patient Information Sheet
- May increase lifespan when used in combination with certain other chemotherapy drugsFDA.gov: Xeloda Patient Information Sheet
- First orally administered chemotherapy drug approved by FDA
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Use for Breast Cancer
In May 2009, a University of Vermont study indicated that Xeloda was less beneficial for early-stage breast cancer patients that traditional chemotherapy.Forbes.com: Chemotherapy Superior to New Drug for Early Breast Cancer (May 12, 2009) When treated with Xeloda alone, older patients with early stage breast cancer had twice the rate of relapse and death than those given standard chemotherapy.Reuters: Early Xeloda does not help in breast cancer (May 12, 2009) -
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The Mahalo Top 7
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Official Site: XELODA—The First FDA-Approved Oral Chemotherapy
xeloda.com -
CNN: Cancer Drug Erases Man's Fingerprints, Doctor Says
cnn.com (May 28, 2009) -
RxList: Xeloda (Capecitabine): Uses, Side Effects, Drug Interactions and Warnings
rxlist.com -
FDA.gov: Xeloda Patient Information Sheet
fda.gov -
Chemocare.com: Xeloda, Capecitabine - Chemo Drug Side Effects
chemocare.com -
WashingtonPost.com: Mysterious Missing Fingerprints
voices.washingtonpost.com (May 28, 2009) -
Reuters: Early Xeloda does not help in breast cancer
uk.reuters.com (May 12, 2009)
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Official Site: XELODA—The First FDA-Approved Oral Chemotherapy
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