Celecoxib and Myrtol: A Novel Therapy for Recurrent Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasms With Extensive Peritoneal Dissemination.

BACKGROUND

Unresectable appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMNs) with extensive peritoneal dissemination cause significant morbidity and have limited treatment options. We evaluated a novel combination of Celecoxib and Myrtol in treating such AMNs.

METHODS

Patients with recurrent AMNs with extensive peritoneal disease treated with a daily regimen of 200 mg Celecoxib and 1200 mg Myrtol Standardized were included. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) trends were compared pretreatment and post-treatment in terms of percentage change.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients with extensive, recurrent disease (median peritoneal carcinomatosis index of 36) were included between 2017 and 2020. The median age was 63 years (interquartile range: 55 to 67) and 7 (54%) were male. A total of 85% had undergone prior cytoreductive surgery while 15% underwent cytoreductive surgery >2 times. 54% had received multiple cycles of systemic chemotherapy before starting Celecoxib-Myrtol. After a median follow-up of 8 months, median PFS and OS were 16 months (interquartile range: 5 to 17) and 27 months, respectively. Nine (69.2%) showed improvement in CEA values 3 months after treatment compared with 3-month pretreatment CEA trends. None had adverse events attributable to Celecoxib-Myrtol.

CONCLUSIONS

Our feasibility study suggests that a regimen of Celecoxib-Myrtol is well tolerated and may prolong PFS and OS in patients with recurrent AMNs with peritoneal spread.