Data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (ASCO) in Chicago showed that not only is Xelox as effective as intravenous (i.v.) drug regimens, but that colorectal cancer patients who receive Xelox spend over 160 fewer hours receiving treatment, have fewer clinic visits and are able to reduce travelling and waiting time.

Analysis of data from a large phase III international trial clearly demonstrates, the quality of life advantages of using Xelox rather than traditional i.v. regimens consisting of i.v. 5-FU and i.v. oxaliplatin (Folfox-4), while providing treatment that is as effective.

Results from the study (NO 16966) show that Xelox is as effective as i.v. chemotherapy in terms of overall survival. Furthermore, patients receiving the Xelox combination, Save time, spending over 160 fewer hours receiving treatment; save time, 22-27 fewer hours travelling to clinics and waiting to receive their treatment; require only 7-9 administration visits compared to 22-27 visits for the i.v. chemotherapy.

"These results clearly show the tremendous quality of life advantage that Xelox can make for colorectal cancer patients," said professor Jim Cassidy, co-lead investigator for study NO16966 and Cancer Research UK Professor of Oncology and Chair of Medical Oncology, Beatson Oncology Centre, at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. "The data have shown that Xeloda is as effective as i.v. chemotherapy in treating advanced colorectal cancer. As oral treatments become available to treat more types of cancer, why should we ask patients to undergo infusional treatments that increase the patient's burden?"

In 2004, colorectal cancer was one of the leading cancers accounting for 13 percent of all cancers in Europe. A World Health Organization report suggested that in 2005, 655,000 people worldwide died from colorectal cancer.