A case of advanced gastric cancer responding to combination chemotherapy with low-dose 5-FU plus CDDP

A 56-year-old man presented with dysphagia, and was found to have a type 3 advanced gastric cancer with bilateral multiple lung metastases. This patient was treated with low-dose 5-FU plus CDDP chemotherapy. In the first course, CDDP (6 mg/m2/day) plus 5-FU (300 mg/m2/day) were infused for 5 successive days a week, but a tumor response was not achieved. Therefore, in the second course, CDDP (6 mg/m2/day) plus 5-FU (600 mg/m2/day) were infused every other day (3 days a week). In response to the treatment, both the gastric tumor and the lung metastases almost completely disappeared (reduction rate 95%), and PR was achieved. The CEA level markedly decreased, from 260.3 to 1.4 ng/ml and the patient's symptoms disappeared. Following this treatment, low-dose CDDP plus UFT therapy was performed and the PR was maintained for 12 months. This report shows a case of advanced gastric cancer that responded to low-dose 5-FU plus CDDP.     

Interim report of JFMC study no. 23--phase III randomized clinical trial on the effectiveness of low-dose cisplatin plus 5-FU as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer

The interim analysis of the JFMC study as of May, 2001 covers 190 gastrectomized patients with advanced gastric cancer from 82 institutions between May, 1996 and March, 2000. Patients were randomly assigned to the following two regimens. Group-CD: cisplatin (CDDP) 5 mg/body/day (i.v.) plus 5-FU 300 mg/body/day (cvi) day 1-5, given for 6 weeks, followed by UFT 200 mg (as tegafur) x 2/day for as long as possible. Group-UF: UFT only was administered after surgery as long as possible. The primary endpoint was survival and the secondary endpoint was disease-free survival. The 4-year survival rates were 47.6% in CD and 41.3% in UF, and the hazard ratio of CD versus UF was 0.74 (95% CL: 0.47-1.16, p = 0.189) according to a stratified (with stage) logrank analysis. The 4-year disease-free survival rates were 50.1% in CD and 39.3% in UF, and the hazard ratio of CD versus UF was 0.65 (95% CL: 0.42-1.00, p = 0.049). Cox's regression analysis using time-dependent dummy variables, revealed that the effect on the survival was accentuated within 9 months, that on disease-free survival within 6 months. The quality of life (QOL) of patients for one year after surgery in CD was significantly lower than that of patient in UF, as assessed using a QOL questionnaire. Although the present interim analysis does not statistically confirm the efficacy of the "low-dose CDDP plus 5-FU" regimen, an expectation for better results is suggested if this regimen is administered for a longer period of time. The JFMC Clinical Trial Committee permitted the release of this report on the condition that further study to verify the present study will be conducted.     

Study of continuous arterial infusion chemotherapy with low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Seven patients with postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and four patients who underwent absolute non curative resection for HCC were treated with continuous arterial infusion of low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) (10 mg/body/day) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (250 mg/body/day). This infusion chemotherapy was continued for five days and discontinued for two days, repeated over four weeks as one course. The response rate in patients with postoperative recurrence was 42.9%, while that in patients who underwent reduction surgery for multiple HCC was 75%. Continuous arterial infusion of low-dose CDDP/5-FU may be effective in patients with multiple small intrahepatic metastases.     

Conceptual changes in cancer chemotherapy--biochemical modulation of 5-FU from bench to clinic

Recently, a demand for therapy of higher usefulness in cancer patients has increased. We described in this paper a therapeutic modality which is based on SRC (self-rescuing concept) featuring dual activity, i.e., effect-enhancing activity and adverse reaction-reducing activity. We presented the theory and practice of S-1, a novel oral fluoropyrimidine anti-cancer agent designed to enhance anticancer activity and reduce gastrointestinal toxicity through the deliberate combination of the following components: an oral fluoropyrimidine agent tegafur; a DPD inhibitor (CDHP) which is more potent than uracil used in UFT; and an ORTC inhibitor (Oxo) which localizes in the gastrointestinal tract. S-1, as a combination drug with a molar ratio of 1:0.4:1 in FT, CDHP, and Oxo, respectively. A clinical pharmacology study to examine blood concentrations of 5-FU after twice-a-day administration of S-1 at a dose 40 mg/m2. Consequently , blood concentrations of 5-FU were 60 to 200 ng/m/ in all twelve patients examined. The overall response rate was 44.6% (45/101). In addition, the incidence of adverse reactions judged to be G3 or higher was 10% or less. Furthermore, we referred to combination therapy with 5-FU (CIV)(5-FU: 250 to 350 mg/body, 24-hour CVI, consecutive days) and low-dose cisplatin (CDDP: 3 to 5 mg/body, iv, 5 days/week) in which CDDP was used as modulator of 5-FU. Low-dose FP therapy provided response rates as high as 40 to 60% in 163 patients with sorts of gastrointestinal cancers except pancreas cancer. The incidence of adverse reactions which were judged to be G3 or higher was 2.5% (4/163) in nausea and vomiting. The incidences of other adverse reactions were 1% or less. And to the theory and practice of combination therapy with 5-FU (CVI) 24-hour CVI; 5-FU: 750 to 1000 mg/body/day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; withdrawal on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday) intermittent administration and low-dose CDDP (3 to 5 mg/body/day day 1-5/w) consecutive administration in which a difference in cell cycle between gastrointestinal mucosal cel l and tumor cell or between bone marrow cell and tumor cell was utilized . Little adverse reactions, e.g., diarrhea and stomatitis, were observed despite the overall response rate which was as high as 52.4% (22/42). We intend in the future to combine the above mentioned therapeutic modalities provoking less adverse reactions and being gentle to patients with cancer in an effort to further increase their life expectancy.     

Two cases of gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases responding to TS-1 with hepatic arterial infusion of CDDP following low-dose 5-FU and CDDP chemotherapy

Case 1: A 77-year-old man was revealed to have type 3 gastric cancer with synchronous liver metastases. He underwent total gastrectomy with lymphatic dissection of D1+a and tubing of the hepatic artery. After surgery, two courses of hepatic arterial infusion of low-dose 5-FU plus CDDP were performed. The patient was discharged, and TS-1 (60 mg/day) was administered from day 1 to 14 followed by 7 days rest as one course. CDDP (10 mg/ body) was infused in the hepatic artery bolus on day 8 and 15 as outpatient treatment. After 8 months, the CEA was decreased from 3,098 ng/dl to 5.4 ng/dl, hepatic metastases were decreased by 85% assessed as a partial response. Case 2: A 71-year-old man was diagnosed with multiple liver metastases 10 months after distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. After tubing of the hepatic artery, three courses of hepatic arterial infusion of low-dose 5-FU plus CDDP were performed. TS-1 with hepatic arterial infusion of CDDP was administered using the same regimen as an outpatient. After 4 months, hepatic metastases decreased by 73%. These cases suggest that TS-1 with hepatic arterial infusion of CDDP in an outpatient may be an effective treatment with low toxicities and no damage to QOL in gastric cancer patients with multiple liver metastases.     

Thymidylate synthase inhibition by an oral regimen consisting of tegafur-uracil (UFT) and low-dose leucovorin for patients with gastric cancer

 Purpose: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) remains a standard therapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer. There has been no study using an oral regimen with a combination of tegafur, a masked compound of 5-FU, and leucovorin in gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine whether orally administered low-dose leucovorin enhances thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibition when added to tegafur-uracil (UFT) in patients with gastric cancer. Methods: A group of 26 patients with resectable gastric cancer were assigned to one of two regimens: UFT alone or UFT plus leucovorin. UFT, equivalent to 400 mg/day tegafur, with or without 30 mg/day leucovorin, was administered orally in divided daily doses every 12 h for 3 consecutive days prior to surgery. Tumor specimens were taken immediately following gastrectomy, and the TS inhibition rate (TSIR) was determined using a ligand-binding assay. Results: The TSIR was significantly higher in the UFT plus leucovorin group than in the UFT alone group (P<0.01). The TSIR in the patients treated with UFT alone ranged between 14% and 50%, while six of the eight patients treated with UFT plus leucovorin had a TSIR of 55% or higher. The remaining two patients in the group treated with UFT plus leucovorin, with a TSIR of 31% and 44%, had undifferentiated tumors. Conclusion: Our results suggest that orally administered low-dose leucovorin can add to the efficacy of UFT in patients with gastric cancer, and provide preliminary data for a randomized clinical trial. Received: 27 June 1995/Accepted: 6 December 1995     

Conceptual changes in cancer chemotherapy--biochemical modulation of 5-FU

Recently, the demand for more useful therapies for cancer patients has increased. We describe in this paper a therapeutic modality based on a self-rescuing concept (SRC), and which features dual activity, i.e., an effect-enhancing activity and an adverse reaction-reducing activity. We present the theory and practice of S-1, a novel oral fluoropyrimidine anticancer agent designed to enhance anticancer activity and reduce gastrointestinal toxicity through the deliberate combination of the following components: the oral fluoropyrimidine agent tegafur; a DPD inhibitor (CDHP) which is more potent than uracil, which is used in UFT; and an ORTC inhibitor (Oxo) which localizes in the gastrointestinal tract. S-1 is a combination drug with a molar ratio of 1:0.4:1 in FT, CDHP, and Oxo, respectively. A clinical pharmacology study was conducted to examine blood concentrations of 5-FU after twice-a-day administration of S-1 at a dose of 40 mg/m2. Blood concentrations of 5-FU were found to be 60 to 200 ng/ml in all twelve patients examined. The overall response rate was 44.6% (45/101). In addition, the incidence of adverse reactions judged to be grade 3 or higher was 10% or less. We have also reported a combination therapy with 5-FU (civ) (5-FU: 250 to 350 mg/body, 24-hour cvi, consecutive days) and low-dose cisplatin (CDDP: 3 to 5 mg/body, i.v., 5 days/week), in which CDDP was used as a modulator of 5-FU. Low-dose FP therapy provided response rates as high as 40 to 60% in 163 patients with various gastrointestinal cancers other than pancreas cancer. The incidence of the adverse reactions of nausea and vomiting which were judged to be grade 3 or higher was 2.5% (4/163). The incidences of other adverse reactions were 1% or less. In line with the theory and practice of combination therapy with 5-FU (cvi) 24 hr cvi; 5-FU: 750 to 1,000 mg/body/day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (withdrawal on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) intermittent administration and low-dose CDDP (3 to 5 mg/body/day day 1-5/w) consecutive administration was utilized in which there was a difference in cell cycle between gastrointestinal mucosal cell and tumor cell, or between bone marrow cell and tumor cell. Few adverse reactions, e.g., diarrhea and stomatitis, were observed despite the overall response rate being as high as 52.4% (22/42). The incidence of adverse reaction judged to be grade 3 or higher was as low as 9.3% (5/54), with an incidence of 9.3% (5/54) in Grade 3 or higher myelotoxicity. We intend in the future to combine the abovementioned therapeutic modalities, which provoke fewer adverse reactions and are easy on patients with cancer in an effort to further increase their life expectancy.     

Study on the intensity of MMC and UFT in postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer--study report of JFMTC Study No. 10

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between efficacy and dose intensity of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with MMC and UFT. A total of 1,410 patients from 180 institutions were allocated into a low-dose group and a high-dose group. The patients in the low-dose group received MMC at 8 mg/m2 on the day of surgery and 3 capsules of UFT (300 mg in tegafur) daily for 6 months. The patients in the high-dose group received MMC at 8 mg/m2 on the day of surgery, and in weeks 4, 10, 16, and 22 after surgery and 6 capsules of UFT (600 mg in tegafur) daily for 6 months. The patients in the high-dose group tended to exhibit higher survival rates than those in the low-dose group, although the difference was not significant. For the n(+)ps(-) patients, however, the survival rates were significantly higher in the high-dose group (p = 0.043). The recurrence-free rates showed a similar tendency. The incidence rates of adverse events were significantly higher in the high-dose group than in the low-dose group. Compliance was poorer in the high-dose group. Although the number of adverse events increases, a better prognosis can be expected with a high dose. These results confirmed a dose-dependency in adjuvant chemotherapy with MMC and UFT.     

Antitumor effect of UFT on human ovarian cancer grafted to nude mice and 5-FU concentration in tumor and normal tissues

Antitumor effects of UFT, tegafur (FT-207), cisplatin (CDDP) and the combination of UFT with CDDP on a human ovarian cancer xenograft in nude mice and the concentration of 5-FU in the tumor tissue and major organs were studied. UFT (48.6mg/kg/day X 20) or tegafur (15.0mg/kg/day X 20) was daily administrated orally, and CDDP (5mg/kg/day X 3) was administrated intraperitoneally at an 7-day interval. The inhibition rates of the tumor growths were 49.6% with UFT, -2.3% with tegafur and 17.7% with CDDP, respectively. In the combination of UFT with CDDP, severe side effect were observed. The concentration of 5-FU in UFT-treated group was higher than tegafur group: about 2 times in the tumor, 5 times in the liver, 9 times in the kidney and 4 times in the spleen, respectively. In the combination of UFT with CDDP, the concentration of 5-FU in major organs, especially in the kidney, in nude mice that died at 10 day after drug administration were higher than in those of UFT. These findings indicate that UFT increases the intratumoral concentration of 5-FU to elicit better antitumor effect and also the concentration of 5-FU in various normal organs after long time administration.     

The histological antitumor effect and side effects of preoperative chemotherapy for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma--comparison between low-dose and high-dose CDDP regimens

Preoperative chemotherapy should be effective against cancers and have few side effects that would prevent surgery. We investigated the histological effects and side effects of low- and high-dose CDDP chemotherapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and discuss the therapeutic benefits of each regimen. Thirty-six patients were divided into two groups as follows, in a non-randomized manner: A) low-dose CDDP (17 patients): CDDP 5 mg/m2/day + UFT 400 mg/day (day 1-5) (1 or 2 courses), B) high-dose CDDP (19 patients): CDDP 70-100 mg/m2/day (day 1) + peplomycin 5 mg/day (day 2-6) (1 or 2 courses). Curative surgery was conducted 1 week after protocol A or 2-3 weeks after protocol B. The histological antitumor effects were evaluated with Ohboshi & Shimosato's classification using surgical materials of primary tumors. In this classification, grade IIB, III and IV were as effective. Maximum histological effect was seen with grade IIB for regimen A and grade IV for regimen B. Four of 17 patients (23.5%) responded to regimen A and 13 of 19 patients (68.4%) to regimen B. Side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and myelosuppression, appeared with regimen B, but were seen little with regimen A. The 2-year survival rate was 93.3% with regimen A and 78.9% with regimen B. With regimen A, the 2-year survival rate of effective cases was 100% and that of ineffective cases was 91.7%. With regimen B, the rate was 92.3% and 50.0%, respectively. Effective cases showed good prognosis in both groups. The low-dose CDDP regimen was not so effective against primary tumors histologically, but the prognosis was good. The low-dose CDDP regimen appears to be useful for preoperative chemotherapy of oral SCC.     

Combined effect of S-1 and CDDP as a modulator for colon 26 liver metastasis

S-1 is a novel oral anticancer drug, composed of tegafur (FT), gimestat (CDHP) and otastat potassium (Oxo) in a molar ratio of 1:0.4:1, based on the biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In this study the combined effect of S-1 and low-dose CDDP as a modulator for colon 26 liver metastasis in mice was evaluated. In an experiment with S-1 (5 mg/kg/day: po) and CDDP (0.25 mg/kg/day: i.p.) for 14 days, the combined effects for both liver metastasis and tumor of spleen were not superior to those with S-1 or CDDP alone group. Body weight loss was not greater in the S-1 + CDDP group than in the control group. In an experiment with S-1 (5 mg x 2/kg/day: po) and CDDP (0.25 mg/kg/day: i.p.) for 7 days, the inhibitory effects of S-1 + CDDP of liver metastasis and tumor of the spleen were remarkable compared with the S-1 alone group. However a greater loss of body weight was seen in the S-1 + CDDP group than in other groups. This study suggests that low-dose CDDP might be a modulator of S-1 for colon 26 liver metastasis. Further study is needed to determine the optimum dose and duration of treatment.     

A case of unresectable advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination responding to UET/low-dose CDDP combination chemotherapy

We report the case of a 69-year-old female with unresectable gastric cancer (T3, N2, P3, H0, Stage IVb) accompanied by peritoneal dissemination, diagnosed on laparotomy. UFT/low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) combination chemotherapy was performed after surgery. UFT 300 mg/day was administered orally every day, and CDDP 10 mg was injected intravenously every week. Chemotherapy was continued for ten months with a total dose of CDDP of 380 mg, but was stopped after oral mucositis developed as a side effect. Seven months after the chemotherapy was started, endoscopy revealed that the gastric cancer tumors had disappeared and the gastric mucosa was intact. Gastric cancer recurrence occurred 2 years and 2 months after chemotherapy was started. Low-dose CDDP/5-FU chemotherapy and TS-1 chemotherapy were performed, but no effects were observed. The patient died 3 years and 6 months after the start of initial chemotherapy, and was treated as an outpatient for 3 years while maintaining a good quality of life. UFT/low-dose CDDP combination chemotherapy offers promise as an effective tool in the clinical management of advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination.     

A case of advanced gastric cancer with liver metastasis completely responding to CPT-11+low-dose 5-FU+CDDP chemotherapy

The case was a 54-year-old man with type-3 gastric cancer in the cardia accompanied by multiple liver metastasis. He received combination chemotherapy consisting of CPT-11 (60 mg/body, day 1 and 8)+low-dose 5-FU and CDDP (5-FU 500 mg/body/day and CDDP 5 mg/body/day, day 1-5 and 8-12, continuous infusion) every 3 weeks. The initial 2 courses were administered on an inpatient basis,and further courses as an outpatient. After 7 courses of therapy without severe adverse events, not only primary lesion but also hepatic metastasis disappeared. He has been free from disease for 4 months, and chemotherapy was further continued with TS-1 (100 mg/body, day 1-14)+CPT-11 60 mg/body, day 1, 8), every 3 weeks. CPT-11 in combination with low-dose 5-FU+CDDP can be one of the most effective regimens for unresectable advanced gastric cancer.     

A case of advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases responding completely to hepatic arterial infusion and systemic chemotherapies

A 41-year-old male complaining of epigastric discomfort visited another hospital for a medical checkup. Gastrointestinal fiberscopic examination revealed a type 3 lesion on the lesser curvature of the lower portion, and biopsy specimens showed tubular adenocarcinoma. Abdominal CT demonstrated multiple liver metastases. After receiving a low-dose FP chemotherapy via IVH catheter for 1 week, the patient undertook a distal gastrectomy accompanied by D2 lymph node dissection. From the 19th postoperative day (POD), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using 5-FU (500 mg/day) plus CDDP (10 mg/day) was performed for about 14 months. On the 47th POD, oral administration of UFT began and continued for 2 years. After 4 months of HAIC, the metastatic lesions of the liver disappeared completely. The patient has been free from recurrence since then for about 2 years. In the peripheral blood, Th1/Th2 ratio and activity of NK/LAK (IL-2 induced) kept increasing during this period. IHAC using 5-FU plus CDDP seems to be an efficient and worthy therapeutic modality if there are no other lesions except multiple liver metastases and a curative gastric resection is indicated.     

A randomized controlled study comparing uracil-tegafur (UFT)+tamoxifen (UFT+TAM therapy) with cyclophosphamide+adriamycin+5-fluorouracil (CAF therapy) for women with stage I , II, or IIIa breast cancer with four or more involved nodes in the adjuvant setting

We performed a controlled study to compare the response to cyclophosphamide (CPA), adriamycin (ADM), and fluorouracil (5-FU) (CAF therapy) with that to uracil-tegafur (UFT) plus tamoxifen (TAM) (UFT+TAM therapy), when given as postoperative adjuvant therapy to women with breast cancer. The patients were registered from September 1991 through February 1995 at 51 institutions in the Kinki district of Japan. All patients had stage I, II, or IIIa breast cancer with four or more lymph-node metastases and underwent mastectomy. CAF therapy and UFT+TAM therapy were started within 4 weeks after surgery. CAF therapy consisted of CPA (100 mg/day) on days 1 to 14, followed by 2 weeks of rest, plus ADM (20 mg/m(2)/day) on days 1 and 8 and 5-FU (300 mg/m(2)/day) on days 1 and 8. A total of 6 courses were delivered. UFT+TAM therapy consisted of 3 years of UFT (400 mg/day) plus TAM (20 mg/day), given daily. CAF therapy and UFT+TAM therapy were each assigned to 82 patients. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in the UFT+TAM group (82.1%) than in the CAF group (66.2%; p=0.04, logrank test). The 5-year relapse-free survival rate was higher in the UFT+TAM group (61.8%) than in the CAF group (46.3%; p=0.07, logrank test). As for adverse events, the rates of leukopenia, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, general malaise, and hair loss were lower in the UFT+TAM group than in the CAF group. These results suggest that long-term treatment with UFT+TAM may be a useful alternative adjuvant therapy for the management of breast cancer, especially in elderly patients.     

Concurrent low-dose cisplatin/5-FU chemotherapy and radiation for the recurrent gastric carcinoma--case reports

We report two postoperative cases of recurrent gastric carcinoma successfully treated with concurrent low-dose cisplatin/5-FU chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Case 1: A 74-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy and splenectomy for advanced gastric carcinoma followed by a local recurrence at the anastomotic site 6 months after surgery. Case 2: A 75-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy and splenectomy for advanced gastric carcinoma followed by multiple lymph node swelling along the abdominal aorta one year after surgery. We employed concurrent radiation therapy and low-dose CDDP/5-FU therapy for the recurrent gastric carcinoma tumor which consisted of 5-FU (125-250 mg/body/day, as a 24-h intravenous injection for 4 weeks) and low-dose cisplatin (10 mg/body on day 1, 8, 15, 22). X-ray radiation was delivered to the target tumor in a daily fraction of 1.8 Gy, 6 days/week, with a total dose of 50.4 Gy. PR and CR were obtained after the therapy. Grade 3 leucopenia was observed in Case 1,which was successfully treated with G-CSF injection. The concurrent low-dose cisplatin/5-FU chemotherapy and radiation therapy could be an effective treatment modality for the recurrent tumors of gastric carcinoma after surgery.     

Biochemical modulation of fluorouracil: evidence of significant improvement of survival and quality of life in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of several new approaches designed to enhance the activity of fluorouracil (5-FU) in the management of advanced colorectal cancer. A total of 429 patients were randomized to one of the following regimens: single-agent 5-FU, given by standard 5-day, intensive-course intravenous bolus technique; 5-FU plus high-dose folinic acid (leucovorin) or 5-FU plus low-dose leucovorin; 5-FU plus high-dose methotrexate (MTX) with oral leucovorin rescue; 5-FU plus low-dose MTX; and 5-FU plus cisplatin (CDDP). The median survival for patients receiving 5-FU alone was 7.7 months. The high- and low-dose leucovorin plus 5-FU regimens had median survivals of 12.2 and 12.0 months, respectively, and offered a significant survival advantage over 5-FU alone with one-sided P values of .037 and .050, respectively (P = .051 for each treatment after correction for prognostic variables). The only other regimen possibly associated with improved survival was high-dose MTX plus 5-FU, with a median survival of 10.5 months (P = .21, P = .076 corrected). In addition, both high- and low-dose leucovorin plus 5-FU regimens were associated with significantly improved tumor response rates (P = .04 and .001) and significantly improved interval-to-tumor-progression rates (P = .015 and .007) when compared with 5-FU alone. Only the low-dose leucovorin plus 5-FU regimen was associated with significant (P less than .05) superiority in each of the following parameters of quality of life: performance status, weight gain, and symptomatic relief. The overall most therapeutically favorable regimen in this trial was 5-FU given with low-dose leucovorin; fortuitously, this regimen is associated with very low drug cost. Whereas this is the first study to demonstrate both improved palliation and survival for any regimen compared with 5-FU given by rapid intravenous (IV) injection for 5 consecutive days at a dose of 500 mg/m2/d in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, the magnitude of the gain is still relatively small. Our low-dose leucovorin plus 5-FU regimen is currently being studied in a national trial with the hope that this increased advanced disease activity may produce more substantive gains in the surgical adjuvant setting.     

Significance of reduction surgery for giant hepatocellular carcinoma with diffuse lung metastases and multiple intrahepatic metastases

Continuous systemic infusion of low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) (10 mg/body/day) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (500 mg/body/day) was performed for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy with diffuse lung metastases and multiple intrahepatic metastases. This infusion chemotherapy, cisplatin was continued for five days, and discontinued for two days, whereas 5-fluorouracil was administered every day and repeated four weeks as one course basally. Remnant metastases had almost disappeared after systemic chemotherapy for 10 weeks. In our experience, the response rate in 13 patients who underwent reduction surgery for multiple HCC was 84.6%. Continuous infusion of low-dose CDDP/5-FU may be effective in patients having absolute non-curative resection.     

The role of additional chemotherapy with oral UFT in intravenous combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for human gastric cancer xenograft lines of well- and poorly- differentiated adenocarcinomas transplanted in nude mice.

In order to assess the role of maintenance chemotherapy with the oral anticancer agent UFT, a mixture of uracil and futraful, in the intensive intravenous chemotherapy for gastric cancer, nude mice transplanted with human gastric cancer xenografts were treated with intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP), alone or in combination, with or without the oral anticancer agent UFT. UFT was given at its maximal clinical dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight daily for 2 weeks, while 5-FU and/or CDDP was intravenously administered at the dose of 20 mg/kg and 1.8 mg/kg of body weight respectively once a week, alone or in combination, for two weeks. The results revealed that 5-FU or CDDP alone were ineffective for both GC-YN, a well differentiated adenocarcinoma line, and GC-SF, a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma line; however, UFT was effective for GC-SF. In combinations, only the three-agent combination 5-FU + CDDP + UFT (FPU) was effective for GC-YN; however, all the two-agent combinations and FPU were effective for GC-SF. FPU significantly suppressed the growth of GC-YN much more than all the other treatment groups. In contrast, although all combinations as well as UFT alone were effective for GC-SF, there was no significant difference among these effective groups. Moreover, no side effects were noted in combined use of UFT. This study suggests that oral UFT as a maintenance treatment may be beneficial in the combination chemotherapy for human gastric cancer.     

Effective and low toxicity chemoradiotherapy for distant metastatic esophageal cancer

A sixty-seven-year-old male who had T4N4M1 (stage IV) advanced esophageal cancer with bilateral pulmonary and multiple lymph-node metastases received 1-hr drip intravenous infusions of low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) at 7 mg/m2 on Days 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, and 22-26, protracted intravenous infusions of 5-fluorouracil at 200 mg/m2 on Days 1-28, and X-ray therapy of 2 gray/fraction x 5 fractions/week (total 40 Gy; LDFPX therapy). XRT was also administered alone (total 60 Gy). After 1 course of LDFPX therapy, the primary and multiple lymph node metastases responded completely. The bilateral pulmonary metastases were remarkably reduced in size and performance status improved. After that we tried low dose CDDP 10 mg/body twice a week and UFT 600 mg/body (LDP + UFT therapy) on an outpatient basis. Especially, bilateral pulmonary metastases were more reducing tumor size by LDP + UFT therapy. These treatments had a therapeutic effect and very low toxicity. This chemotherapy is thought to be effective against advanced esophageal cancer.