Biological Activity
Capecitabine is an oral prodrug that is converted to its active metabolite, fluorouracil (FU), by thymidine phosphorylase.
In Vitro
Capecitabine is an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug. It is classified as an antimetabolite. Capecitabine is converted into 5′-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (5′DFCR), 5′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5′DFUR) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by carboxylesterases (CES1 and 2), cytidine deaminase (CDD), and thymidine phosphorylase (TP), in both liver and tumour. Capecitabine induces a significant cytotoxic effect in vitro only at high concentrations. Mean IC50 values vary from 860 μM in COLO205 cells to 6000 μM in HCT8 cells[2].
In Vivo
A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study is carried out in mice bearing HCT 116 xenografts receiving 0.52 and 2.1 mmol/kg/d of Capecitabine by oral gavage. Capecitabine administered at 0.52 mmol/kg/day induces partial control of HCT 116 xenografts tumour growth: growth rate =7.5±0.5 on day 21. Capecitabine 2.1 mmol/kg/day achieves complete control of tumor growth during the treatment period: growth rate =1±0.2 on day 21[2].
References & source
Published experimental findings depend on the model and assay conditions. They do not guarantee equivalent performance in every application. For laboratory research use only.