Why Xeloda can't eliminate 5FU

Implications: Xeloda has time after time demonstrated to be as good if not better than 5FU Xeloda continues to lag behind 5FU in the US Recent trial results are not likely to change things overnight

Analysis:  I agree completely that Xeloda is likely in any situation to be at least equal to 5FU  as either singe agent and in combination. Does anyone wander why then Xeloda has not caught on in the US vs. Europe? I think the opinion about the success of a chemotherapy product in the US needs to reflect economic disadvantages in the 80% cancer treatment settings, i.e. private practice infusion centers where there is an advantage to giving iv treatment , albeit at an ever so shrinking rate. I have been in both worlds (academic and private) and I shutter to think what will happen to cancer care in this country once the incentive to be an oncologist is eliminated. The future of the field is already dismal and more cuts in revenue will be disastrous for the field that treats the leading cause of death in many parts of this nation. One just needs to look at the products that have come out with oral or subq forms of delivery only to switch to iv infusions. Emend and Vidaza are recent examples. Oncologist cannot live on profees and the government’s solutions to compensation decline have been very inadequate. I have seen services cut and patients turned away since the MMA of the CMS.