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The role of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy using low-dose fraction cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus.

OBJECTIVE: We clarified the role of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus and compared it to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 40 patients diagnosed with advanced thoracic esophageal carcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant therapy followed by esophagectomy between 1993 and 1999. We divided them into 2 groups: radiochemotherapy (17) and chemotherapy (23). Radiochemotherapy patients underwent 40 Gy radiation and low-dose fraction cisplatin (7 mg/body/day, 5 days a week x 4 weeks) and 5-fluorouracil (350 mg/body/day x 28 days). Chemotherapy patients received high-dose fraction cisplatin/5-fluorouracil involving 2 courses of cisplatin (70 mg/m2/day on day 1) and 5-fluorouracil (700 mg/m2/day on days 1-5). RESULTS: Complete pathological response was 17.6% in the radiochemotherapy group and 0% in the chemotherapy group respectively. No hospital mortality occurred in the radiochemotherapy group, and 1 of the 23 chemotherapy patients died in the hospital due to postoperative complications. The incidence of residual tumors was significantly higher in the chemotherapy group (34.8%) than in the radiochemotherapy group (0%). Actuarial survival in the radiochemotherapy group at 1 year was 80.2% and at 3 years 53.5%. Actuarial survival in the chemotherapy group at 1 year was 56.5% and at 3 years 30.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Histological effectiveness was greater in patients treated with preoperative radiochemotherapy than those treated with preoperative chemotherapy. The combination of radiation and low-dose fraction CDDP/5-FU thus is first choice in neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for the advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Aged↗

5-Fluorouracil (FU) and mitomycin C (MMC) in the management of colorectal carcinoma. Part II. In vitro activity of the two drugs in short-term tumor cultures.

Eighty-seven colorectal adenocarcinomas from untreated patients were investigated by short term tumor cultures to test in vitro sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C. This study reports the preliminary results of a multistep program aimed at the prospective clinical application of the assay. At present this in vitro experience was performed in parallel with a clinical trial carried out with the same drugs. The in vitro activity of the two anticancer agents is in agreement with the response rate reported in monochemotherapy; our data would suggest an increase of responses using the combination of fluorouracil and mitomycin in comparison to single drug therapy. A low cosensitivity rate and a high number of cases sensitive to one drug but resistant to the other, account for the use of this test as screening of active drugs in the individual patient.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effects of fibroblast-mediated interleukin 3 and interleukin 6 gene therapy on hematopoiesis in mice treated with 5-fluorouracil.

Fibroblast-mediated cytokine gene therapy has proven to be a promising strategy for restoring hematopoiesis following repeated chemotherapy. Interleukin 3 (IL-3) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) can synergistically promote the recovery of hematopoiesis following chemotherapy. In this investigation, combined use of fibroblast-mediated IL-3 and IL-6 gene therapy was tested for hematopoietic effects on mice with or without 5-fluorouracil administration. The results demonstrated that combined therapy with IL-3 gene-modified NIH3T3 cell (NIH3T3-IL-3) and IL-6 gene-modified fibroblast NIH3T3 cell (NIH3T3-IL-6) implantation achieves obvious stimulation of hematopoiesis in normal mice and accelerates recovery of hematopoiesis. In normal mice the quantities of platelets, neutrophils, and total white blood cells in peripheral blood increased significantly after the combined implantation of NIH3T3-IL-3 and NIH3T3-IL-6 cells. The numbers of colony-forming unit (CFU) granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) and CFU megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) formed by stem cells in bone marrow was significantly higher after the combined implantation of NIH3T3-IL-3 and NIH3T3-IL-6 cells than after the implantation of NIH3T3-IL-3 alone, NIH3T3-IL-6 alone, or neomycin gene-modified NIH3T3 cells. In hematopoiesis-depressed mice induced by preinjection with 5-fluorouracil at the dose of 150 mg/kg before cell implantation, the platelets, neutrophils, and white blood cells showed accelerated recovery, and the numbers of CFU-GM and CFU-MK formed by bone marrow cells were also markedly higher after the combined implantation of NIH3T3-IL-3 and NIH3T3-IL-6 cells than in control groups. Our data show that combined use of fibroblast-mediated IL-3 and IL-6 gene therapy may be of clinical relevance for the recovery of hematopoietic depression for patients after chemotherapy.

3T3 Cells↗

[Therapy with mitomycin C, folic acid and 5-fluorouracil in treatment of metastatic, refractory urinary bladder carcinoma--phase II study].

We performed a phase II trial with second-line chemotherapy in patients with refractory, metastatic cancer of the bladder. Second-line therapy consists of 2.6 cycles of mitomycin-C, 5-fluorouracil and folic acid. Two patients suffered from WHO grade III side effects (nephrotoxicity, leukocytopenia). We did not find any complete or partial remission. Four patients had a stable disease; 3.3 months after therapy, patients developed tumor progression with a median survival of 9 months. Four patients reported an improvement in quality of life. Since all patients received supportive care, improvement in quality of life cannot be related to chemotherapy alone. In conclusion, second-line chemotherapy with mitomycin-C, 5-fluorouracil and folic acid has no effect on refractory, metastatic cancer of the bladder and is no alternative for cisplatin and methotrexate-based chemotherapy.

Aged↗

A case of chronic myeloid leukemia with minor bcr-abl transcript following fluorouracil therapy for esophageal carcinoma.

We report here a very rare case of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with a minor bcr-abl transcript, which developed following long-term chemotherapy with fluorouracil for esophageal carcinoma. A 64-year-old male patient was diagnosed with CML. Four years earlier, he had suffered from esophageal carcinoma, which was treated by surgical resection followed by oral administration of fluorouracil (200 mg/day) for 4 years. Molecular analysis of his Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and subsequent sequencing revealed a minor bcr-abl transcript. The clinical course of this patient was aggressive with a short chronic phase of CML. This is the first reported case of secondary CML with a minor bcr-abl transcript.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗

Synergistic cytotoxic effect between serine-threonine phosphatase inhibitors and 5-fluorouracil: a novel concept for modulation of cytotoxic effect.

PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to look for an agent or agents able to modulate the cytotoxic effect of 5-fluorouracil (FUra) and to investigate the role of serine-threonine phosphatase inhibitors on the cytotoxic effect of FUra. METHODS: The cytotoxicities of FUra and protein phosphatase inhibitors (PPIs) were evaluated by two different methods: a clonogenic assay and a proliferation assay. In the clonogenic assay, cancer cells were treated with various concentration of FUra with or without PPIs for 72 h. The drug-containing medium was replaced by fresh medium, the cultures incubated for an additional 10 days, and the colonies enumerated. In the proliferation assay the cells were treated with FUra alone or in combination with PPIs for 96 h and cytotoxicity was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay based on the uptake of the tetrazolium dye. Thymidine kinase (TK) activity was determined based on the catalytic phosphorylation of [(3)H]d-thymidine to [(3)H]dTMP. Incorporation of FUra into DNA and RNA was determined by treating the cells with [2-(14)C]fluorouracil for 72 h and measuring the radioactivity in the isolated DNA and RNA fractions. RESULTS: The serine-threonine phosphatase inhibitors caliculin A (CAL), okadaic acid (OA) and microcystin-LR (MCLR) dose-dependently inhibited the growth of Clone 20 and Clone 5 cells of Colon 26 murine colon adenocarcinoma cells, human cervical cancer HeLa cells, human gastric cancer MKN 7 cells, and murine sarcoma S-180 cells in vitro. Among the compounds tested, MCLR at non-toxic concentrations was found to increase FUra incorporation into RNA and DNA in Clone 20 cells by 60% and 127%, respectively, to increase TK activity alone (twofold) as well as in combination with FUra (threefold), and to potentiate the cytotoxicity of FUra synergistically and cytospecifically in vitro. The cytotoxicity of FUra alone or in combination with MCLR, but not that of PPIs alone, was abrogated almost completely by exogenous thymidine (dThd), suggesting that inhibition of thymidylate synthetase (TS) is the growth-limiting event in the cytotoxic action of FUra even in combination with MCLR. CONCLUSIONS: The findings presented here suggest that MCLR synergistically and cytospecifically potentiates the antitumor activity of FUra with substantial improvement in the therapeutic index of FUra via enhancement of both DNA- and RNA-directed cytotoxicity.

Animals↗

Phase II clinical trial of parenteral hydroxyurea in combination with fluorouracil, interferon and filgrastim in the treatment of advanced pancreatic, gastric and neuroendocrine tumors.

PURPOSE: Combined inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase (RR) and thymidylate synthase (TS), the enzymes responsible for a balanced supply of nucleotides for DNA synthesis, has been shown to induce synergistic antiproliferative effects in vitro. In the clinic, prolonged infusion of the RR inhibitor, hydroxyurea (HU), may be more effective than bolus or oral administration of drug. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether dose intensification of parenteral hydroxyurea in combination with fluorouracil could enhance the response rates of the combination against refractory upper gastrointestinal malignancies. METHODS: A clinical trial of parenteral, weekly, high-dose HU in combination with weekly, high-dose infusional fluorouracil (5FU) was initiated in patients with advanced pancreatic and gastric cancer. Patients received 5FU 1.3 g/m(2) by continuous intravenous infusion (CIVI) daily over 48 h weekly in combination with HU 4.3 g/m(2) CIVI per day over 48 h weekly. Patients also received the biologic agent interferon alfa-2a 9 MU subcutaneously (s.c.) three times per week and filgrastim 480 microg s.c. on days 3 (starting after midday), 4, 5, and 6 each week. Each cycle required treatment on days 1 and 8 every 22 days. RESULTS: Enrolled in the study were 32 patients, of whom 30 were evaluable. The median age was 56 years. Primary sites included pancreas (18), gastric (13) and islet cell (1). Despite filgrastim, the major toxicities were hematologic with 15 of 30 patients developing grade 3/4 granulocytopenia. Of the 30 patients, 4 developed grade 3/4 diarrhea. Interferon-mediated fatigue was mild. Of 12 evaluable patients with gastric cancer, 1 had a partial response, and there were no responders among patients with pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Combined inhibition of RR and TS using this high-dose, weekly, 48-h infusional regimen is not an improvement over single-agent therapy in these tumor types.

Adult↗

Population analysis of the pharmacokinetics and the haematological toxicity of the fluorouracil-epirubicin-cyclophosphamide regimen in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The aims of the study were (a) to characterise the pharmacokinetics (PK), including inter-individual variability (IIV) and inter-occasion variability (IOV) as well as covariate relationships and (b) to characterise the relationship between the PK and the haematological toxicity of the component drugs of the fluorouracil (5-FU)-epirubicin (EPI)-cyclophosphamide (CP) regimen in breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 140 breast cancer patients, either within one of different studies or in routine clinical management, were included in the analyses. The patients were all treated with the fluorouracil-epirubicin-cyclophosphamide (FEC) regimen every third week for 3-12 courses, either in standard doses, i.e. 600/60/600 mg/m(2) of 5-FU, EPI and CP, respectively, or according to a dose escalation/reduction protocol (tailored dosing). PK data were available from 84 of the patients, whereas time-courses of haematological toxicity were available from 87 patients. The data analysis was carried out using mixed effects models within the NONMEM program. RESULTS: The PK of 5-FU, EPI and 4-hydroxy-cyclophosphamide (4-OHCP), the active metabolite of CP, were described with a one-compartment model with saturable elimination, a three-compartment linear model and a two-compartment linear model, respectively. No clinical significant correlation was found between PK across drugs. The unexplained variability in clearance was found to be less within patients, between courses (inter-occasion variability, IOV) than between patients (inter-individual variability, IIV) for EPI and 5-FU. For 4-OHCP, however, the IIV diminished by approximately 45% when significant covariates were included and the final population model predicts an IIV that is equal to IOV. Significant covariates for elimination capacity parameters were serum albumin (5-FU, EPI and 4-OHCP), creatinine clearance (5-FU), bilirubin (EPI) and body surface area (BSA) (4-OHCP). Elimination capacity of 5-FU and EPI was not related to BSA and for none of the studied drugs did body weight explain the PK variability. The time-course of haematological toxicity after treatment was well described by a semi-physiological model that assumes additive haematological toxicity between CP and EPI with negligible contribution from 5-FU. The influence of G-CSF could be incorporated into the model in a mechanistic manner as shortening the maturation time to 43% of the normal duration and increasing the mitotic activity to 269% of normal activity. CONCLUSIONS: The models presented describe the dose-concentration-toxicity relationships for the FEC therapy and may provide a basis for implementation and comparison of different individualisation strategies based on covariates, therapeutic drug monitoring and/or pharmacodynamic (PD) feedback. The PD model extends on previous semi-mechanistic models in that it also takes G-CSF administration into account.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

5-Fluorouracil can cross brain-blood barrier and cause encephalopathy: should we expect the same from capecitabine? A case report on capecitabine-induced central neurotoxicity progressing to coma.

PURPOSE: Capecitabine is a relatively new oral fluoropyrimidine currently licensed for the treatment of colorectal and breast cancer. RESULTS: It has the advantage of oral administration with good tolerability and comparable activity to intravenous 5-fluorouracil. Central neurotoxicity has been described in 5-fluorouracil-treated patients but there is little data regarding capecitabine. We report here a case of reversible capecitabine-induced encephalopathy progressing to coma. DISCUSSION: Literature on fluoropyrimidine-related neurotoxicity will also be reviewed and possible mechanisms of the drug or its metabolites crossing the blood-brain barrier will be discussed.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Multimodal biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil by leucovorin, methotrexate, and interferon alpha in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

A total of 26 patients with advanced colorectal cancer received 60 mg/m2 methotrexate i.v. on days 1-4; 400 mg/m2 5-fluorouracil i.v. on days 2, 3, 5, and 6; and 100 mg/m2 6S-leucovorin i.v. on days 2, 3, 5, and 6. Interferon-alpha 2b at a dose of 3 million U was given i.m. daily for the 6 days of chemotherapy. Courses were repeated every 3 weeks. There were four partial responses for a response rate of 15% (95% confidence interval 2-28%): In all, 14 patients expressed grade 3 toxicity; 9 patients had diarrhea, 3 had stomatitis, and 2 developed leukopenia. In conclusion, multimodal biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil, at least on this schedule, does not seem to be effective, as it results in severe toxicity.

Adult↗

Hypofractionated radiotherapy with concurrent 5-fluorouracil radiosensitisation for recurrent or locally advanced colorectal cancer. A phase II study.

In a pilot study we treated 19 patients suffering from recurrent or locally advanced inoperable colorectal cancer, with concurrent hypofractionated radiotherapy (4-5 Gy/fraction, 2 fractions per week) and 5-fluorouracil bolus, 1 hour before RT at doses of 300 mg/m2. For 16 patients treated with radical intent the Normalised Total Dose for alpha/beta = 10 Gy ranged between 56-74 Gy (median 62 Gy). The schedule used was very well tolerated. Moderate grade II haematological toxicity was observed in 11% of cases and diarrhoea grade II/III resulting in 2-4 weeks treatment delay was observed in 26% of cases. One case with bowel perforation and one with painful subcutaneous fibrosis was observed during 12-27 months of follow-up. Out of 16 patients treated with radical intent 4 (25%) showed complete response and the overall response rate was 56% (9/16). The one-year symptom-free survival was obtained in 11/16 (69%) radically treated patients. It is concluded that hypofractionated radiochemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil for recurrent or locally advanced colorectal cancer is an effective regimen and has acceptable acute and late toxicity. Further investigation is required.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Randomized trial of the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer with combination therapy incorporating the oral pyrimidine 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The purpose of the present trial was to clarify the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy including an oral fluoropyrimidine anticancer drug, the 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU), for the treatment of colon cancer. METHOD: Patients with clinical stage Dukes' B and C colon cancer, who had been treated surgically, were assigned to a chemotherapy group treated with mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and HCFU and to a control group that received no postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Of the 1,001 patients registered for the study, 17 (1.7%) were ineligible. The incidence of toxicity was significantly higher in the chemotherapy group than in the control group. However, there were few severe side effects and no deaths related to the treatment. Overall survival showed no significant difference between the groups. The disease-free survival or the recurrence-free intervals was significantly higher in the chemotherapy group than in the control group. The incidence of hepatic recurrence was significantly (P=0.003) lower in the chemotherapy group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer, i.e., combined chemotherapy that included the 5-FU oral anticancer drug HCFU.

Aged↗

Low toxic neoadjuvant cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid in locally advanced gastric cancer yields high R-0 resection rate.

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer is effective, but is often associated with severe side effects, including fatal outcome. This study evaluates a combination of cisplatin, folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil (PLF) in terms of efficacy (R-0 resection rate) and toxicity. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who after extensive staging were deemed not suitable for curative resection underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Three or four cycles of cisplatin (50 mg/m(2) days 1 and 15), folinic acid (200 mg/m(2) days 1, 8, 15 and 22), and 5-fluorouracil (2,000 mg/m(2 ) days 1, 8, 15 and 22) were administered. Cases with progressive disease were taken off the study. Two weeks after finishing chemotherapy resection was performed and all patients were enrolled in a structured follow-up. RESULTS: Of the patients, 22/25 finished chemotherapy and 20 of those underwent laparotomy. In 13/25 patients (52%) a R-0 resection and in three cases a R-1 resection were achieved. Four patients stayed irresectable. During 76 completed cycles of chemotherapy we observed five cases of WHO grade-III toxicity and no grade-IV toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The presented PLF protocol yields R-0 resection rates comparable to protocols like EAP (etoposide, adriamycin, platinum), but with a better safety profile allowing administration in an outpatient setting. Our study supports PLF as a reference neoadjuvant treatment for gastric cancer even outside of clinical studies.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil, mitoxantrone, and cisplatin for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: an analysis of 63 cases.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy and toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), mitoxantrone, and cisplatin (FMP) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and conducted an analysis of the prognostic factors for response to such therapy and patient survival. METHODS: Sixty-three patients suffering from unresectable and non-embolizable HCC and who had objectively measurable tumors, adequate liver and renal function, and adequate bone-marrow reserve were enrolled in this study. The therapeutic regimen consisted of cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) and mitoxantrone 6 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1, and 5-FU 450 mg/m(2) per day continuous infusion for a period of 5 days. Univariate and multivariate analyses of patient and disease characteristics were used to identify factors predicting patient response and survival. RESULTS: The objective response was 23.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.0-34.6%). The median survival for all 63 patients was 4.9 months (95% CI, 3.2-6.6 months). The median time to progression was 2.5 months (95% CI, 1.7-3.3 months). Multivariate analysis identified only performance status ( P = 0.050) and liver tumor size ( P = 0.012) as being significantly related to patient objective response. Independent variables associated with a better patient survival included: the absence of ascites ( P = 0.003), a lower total bilirubin level ( P = 0.026), and the patient being a positive chemotherapy responder ( P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The response rate to an FMP regimen was still unsatisfactory, although a specific subgroup of patients (good performance status, smaller liver tumor mass, good liver reserve, and distant metastasis) may benefit from this regimen.We evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy and toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), mitoxantrone, and cisplatin (FMP) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and conducted an analysis of the prognostic factors for response to such therapy and patient survival.

Adult↗

A phase II study of combined chemotherapy with methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and low-dose cisplatin (MFP) for histologically diffuse-type advanced and recurrent gastric cancer (KDOG9501).

BACKGROUND: Histologically diffuse-type gastric cancer is well known to have a poor prognosis and is often complicated with abdominal and pleural effusions. We evaluated the efficacy of a low dose of cisplatin combined with methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (MFP therapy) in diffuse-type advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: The study group comprised 47 patients. Patients with pleural effusion or ascites were actively enrolled. Methotrexate (30 mg/m(2) per day) plus 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m(2) per day) was administered on days 1 and 8. Cisplatin (6 mg/m(2) per day) was given daily for 14 days after which there was 14 day's rest. Calcium leucovorin (15 mg) was administered after methotrexate. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 38.3%. Ascites disappeared or decreased in 15 of 23 patients (disappeared in 9). Pleural effusion disappeared or decreased in 6 of 8 patients (disappeared in 4). Of the 21 patients with poor oral intake at study entry, 15 (71.4%) were able to orally ingest food. Hematologic toxicity of grade 3 or higher comprised leukopenia in 10 patients (21.3%) and neutropenia in 9 (19.1%). Nonhematologic toxicity included anorexia and nausea/vomiting, in 1 patient each (2.1%). The median survival time was 211 days. CONCLUSION: MFP therapy is useful for the management of diffuse-type inoperable and recurrent gastric cancer, even in patients with conditions such as pleural effusion, ascites, or lymphangitis carcinomatosa who have a poor prognosis or cannot eat solid food.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Phase I trial of combined chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: This phase I study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and toxicities of combination chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). METHODS: Patients received two cycles of chemotherapy repeated every 4 weeks. Starting doses (dose level 0) were: docetaxel 60 mg/m(2), cisplatin 60 mg/m(2), and 5-day continuous infusion 5-FU 600 mg/m(2) per day. At least three patients were examined at each dose level before advancing to the next level. RESULTS: Nineteen male patients (median age, 59.5 years) were enrolled. Eighteen patients had previously untreated stage III or IV SCCHN and 1 had local relapse, rT4. In the 19 patients, the regimen was well tolerated, with neutropenia as the most common toxicity (grade 3; n = 11; grade 4; n = 1). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed at the fifth dose level (docetaxel 70 mg/m(2), cisplatin 70 mg/m(2), 5-FU 750 mg/m(2) per day), when 1 patient developed grade 2 renal toxicity during the first course; another 2 patients had persistent neutropenia. These doses were thus deemed the MTD for the regimen. In the 18 assessable patients, the overall clinical response rate was 94% (17/18 patients) and primary-site complete response (CR) occurred in 4 (22%) patients. CONCLUSION: The MTD of this regimen was docetaxel 70 mg/m(2) on day 1, cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) on day 4, and 5-FU 750 mg/m(2) per day for 5 days. The regimen was safe and generally well-tolerated and demonstrated good efficacy in patients with locally advanced SCCHN. This phase I study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and toxicities of combination chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Aged↗

Phase I study of gefitinib, oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (IFOX) in patients with advanced solid malignancies.

PURPOSE: Aphase 1 study of gefitinib in combination with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (IFOX)was conducted to evaluate the safety and feasibility of this regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced solid malignancies were treated with escalating doses of gefitinib (250 mg or 500 mg once daily) in combination with FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin). The initial dose of oxaliplatin was 70 mg/m2 with sequential dose escalation to 85 mg/m2. RESULTS: Sixteen patients received a total of 138 14-day courses of daily gefitinib in combination with FOLFOX. Escalation of gefitinib from 250 mg/d to 500 mg/d with FOLFOX was well-tolerated. In addition, no severe toxicities precluded subsequent dose escalation of oxaliplatin from 70 mg/m2 to 85 mg/m2 at which no dose-limiting toxicity was seen. No further dose escalation was performed as this represented the oxaliplatin dose administered in the standard FOLFOX-4 regimen. The most predominant toxicity was diarrhea, which was well controlled with oral antidiarrheal agents. Four partial remissions occurred in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Gefitinib as a 500 mg daily continuous dose was well tolerated in combination with full doses of FOLFOX-4.

Adult↗

Prolongation of pancreatic allograft survival by 5-fluorouracil.

Recipient survival in canine pancreatic allotransplantation was significantly prolonged when animals were treated with 5-fluorouracil in combination with low-dose azathioprine. Untreated dogs and those receiving only azathioprine survived for only short periods of time, and pancreatitis was frequently encountered. In contrast, animals treated with 5-fluorouracil were protected from pancreatitis and survived an average of almost three weeks.

Animals↗