First-line oral capecitabine therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer: a favorable safety profile compared with intravenous 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety profile of capecitabine using data from a large, well-characterized population of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated in two phase II studies. In these trials, capecitabine achieved significantly superior response rates, equivalent time to disease progression and equivalent survival compared with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 1207) were randomized to either oral capecitabine (1250 mg/m2 twice daily, on days 1-14 every 21 days) or intravenous (i.v.) bolus 5-FU/leucovorin (Mayo Clinic regimen). RESULTS: Capecitabine demonstrated a safety profile superior to that of 5-FU/leucovorin, with a significantly lower incidence of diarrhea, stomatitis, nausea, alopecia and grade 3 or 4 neutropenia leading to significantly fewer neutropenic fever/sepsis cases and fewer hospitalizations. All patients in the capecitabine group received a starting dose of 1250 mg/m2 twice daily and the majority (66%) did not require dose modification for adverse events. In the 5-FU/leucovorin group, 58% of patients did not require dose reduction for toxicities. The capecitabine dose-modification scheme reduced the recurrence of key toxicities without compromising efficacy. In both treatment arms, patients with moderate renal impairment at baseline (estimated creatinine clearance 30-50 ml/min) experienced a higher incidence of grade 3 or 4 toxicities. This increase was more pronounced with 5-FU/leucovorin. CONCLUSIONS: Capecitabine is at least as effective, better tolerated and more convenient than i.v. 5-FU/leucovorin as treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Analysis of data from two large phase III trials demonstrates that efficacy is not compromised in patients requiring a dose reduction for adverse events. The phase III data and an additional pharmacokinetic study support a lower starting dose in patients with moderate renal impairment at baseline (calculated creatinine clearance 30-50 ml/min) and a contra-indication in patients with severely impaired creatinine clearance at baseline (<30 ml/min). For patients with normal or mildly impaired renal function at baseline, the standard starting dose is well tolerated. The incidence and severity of adverse events in patients with moderate renal impairment at baseline who were treated with 5-FU/leucovorin was more pronounced, indicating that capecitabine provides a better-tolerated alternative.     

A prospective randomised trial of protracted venous infusion 5-fluorouracil with or without mitomycin C in advanced colorectal cancer

Background: To compare protracted venous infusion (PVI) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with and without mitomycin C (MMC) in a prospectively randomised study and analyse for tumour response, survival, toxicity and quality of life (QL).Patients and methods: Two hundred patients with advanced colorectal cancer received PVI 5-FU 300 mg/m²/day for a maximum of 24 weeks and were randomised to PVI 5-FU alone or PVI 5-FU + MMC 10 mg/m² (7 mg/m² from June 1995) 6 weekly for 4 courses.Results: Overall response was 54% (95% confidence interval [CI] 44.1%–63.9%) with PVI 5-FU + MMC compared to 38% (95% CI 28.3%–47.7%) for PVI 5-FU alone (P = 0.024). The median failure free survival was 7.9 months in PVI 5-FU plus MMC and 5.4 months with PVI 5-FU alone (P = 0.033) and at one year 31.9% for the combination compared to 17.7% for PVI 5-FU alone. Median survival was 14 months with MMC and 15 months in 5-FU alone; one-year survival 51.7% vs. 57.2%. PVI 5-FU + MMC caused more overall haematological toxicity but CTC grades 3/4 was increased only for thrombocytopaenia. Two patients treated with a cumulative dose of MMC of 40 mg/m² developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome warranting the reduction in cumulative MMC dose to 28 mg/m². The global QL scores were better for PVI 5-FU + MMC arm at 24 weeks, but the remaining QL data showed no differences.Conclusions: PVI 5-FU + MMC results in failure-free survival and response advantage, tolerable toxicity and better QL when compared to PVI 5-FU alone but no overall survival advantage. There is no irreversible toxicity with MMC at a cumulative dose of 28 mg/m².     

Integrated analysis of overall survival in two randomised studies comparing 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin with or without trimetrexate in advanced colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Two randomised studies were performed with trimetrexate (TMTX) as a biochemical modulator of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV) in advanced colorectal cancer (ACC), one in Europe and one in the United States. Both studies were similarly designed to detect a statistically significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS). Overall survival (OS), however, was later adopted as the primary outcome measure for approvability of agents for first-line treatment of ACC. Therefore, an integrated analysis of survival data from the European and USA trials was performed to detect a clinically relevant difference in survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The experimental arm was identical in both studies and consisted of TMTX 110 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) followed 24 h later by i.v. LV 200 mg/m2/5-FU 500 mg/m2 plus oral LV rescue. The 5-FU dose in the control arm was 600 mg/m2 in the European study and 500 mg/m2 in the USA study, and the USA study was placebo-controlled. Treatment was given weekly for 6 weeks every 8 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 746 patients were analysed. Median OS was 13.0 months for 5-FU/LV and 14.6 months for TMTX/5-FU/LV (P = 0.15; Wilcoxon). Median PFS was 4.4 months and 5.4 months, respectively (P = 0.07; Wilcoxon). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of TMTX to a weekly regimen of 5-FU/LV does not improve the outcome for patients with ACC.     

国产奥沙利铂联合亚叶酸钙和5-氟脲嘧啶治疗晚期结直肠癌的临床观察

目的：评价奥沙利铂联合亚叶酸钙、5—氟脲嘧啶(OXA—CF—5—Fu)方案治疗晚期结直肠癌的疗效与安全性。方法：奥沙利铂(OXA)130mg／m^2，静脉滴注4h，d1；亚叶酸钙(CF)200mg静脉滴注2小时，5—氟脲嘧啶(5—Fu)0．25g于CF滴完后静脉推注，5-Fu0．5g持续静脉滴注6-8小时，d1-5，每3周重复。结果：全组26例患者，有效率(CR PR)为42．31％，不良反应为恶心、呕吐和骨髓抑制，但多为Ⅰ～Ⅱ度，一过性感觉异常。结论：奥沙利铂联合亚叶酸钙和5—氟脲嘧啶治疗晚期结直肠癌疗效较高，不良反应轻而且安全。     

A patient preference study comparing raltitrexed ('Tomudex') and bolus or infusional 5-fluorouracil regimens in advanced colorectal cancer: influence of side-effects and administration attributes

Current chemotherapy regimens used in advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC) are similar in terms of efficacy, but differ importantly in terms of side-effects and administration profiles. These differences may impact significantly on patients' lives. We have evaluated patient preferences between raltitrexed ('Tomudex') and 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimens, with regard to side-effect attributes (raltitrexed and Mayo regimens) and administration attributes (raltitrexed, Mayo, De Gramont and Lokich regimens) in a study based on 82 patients with ACRC. Patients completed a series of rating tasks on how 'upsetting' these attributes were to them using a visual analogue scale (VAS) in a structured interview conducted by a research nurse. Mucositis and asthenia were the most and least upsetting side-effects, respectively. The side-effect profile of raltitrexed was clearly preferred by 78% of patients versus 14% for Mayo ( P < 0.001). When side-effects and administration attributes were combined into an overall profile, 91% of patients selected raltitrexed as their clearly preferred regimen, versus 6% for Mayo ( P < 0.001). The administration regimen of raltitrexed was ranked most acceptable (mean rank score 1.5 compared with Mayo 2.6, De Gramont 2.7, and Lokich 3.3). Given similar palliative effects, patients with ACRC exhibit preferences for raltitrexed over other regimens, based on administration and/or side-effect attributes. Such preferences should constitute an important part of decisions relating to the choice of chemotherapy regimen in ACRC.     

草酸铂联合氟尿嘧啶、醛氢叶酸治疗晚期结直肠癌的临床观察

Objective:To observe the efficacy and tolerability of continuously infusing 5-fluorouracii(5-FU)/folic acid combined with oxaliplatin(L-OHP/5-FU/Lv regimen)as first line treatment in advanced colorectal cancer.Methods:23 patients of advanced colorectal cancer were treated with 5-Fu 500mg/d,civ,d1-d5,d8-d12,leucovorin 100mg/d,iv gtt,d1,d8,folic acid tablet 60 mg/d,po,d2-d5,d9-d12,and oxaliplatin 65mg/(m2-d),iv gtt,d1,d8,repeated every 21 days(one cycle).The effect was evaluated after two cycles.Results:Complete response in 2 cases and partial response in 10 cases were observed with an overall response rate of 47.18%.Adverse effects were mainly grade 1-2,including nausea,vomiting,diarrhea,dental ulcer,peripheral neuritis and myelosuppression.Conclusion:L-OHP/5-FU/LV regimen is an effective and better tolerated alterna tive treatment in advanced colorectal cancer and yields promising clinical application.     

Oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin regimen for patients with advanced colorectal cancer

Objective： To observe the efficacy and tolerability of continuously infusing 5-fluorouracil （5-FU） / folic acid combined with oxaliplatin （L-OHP/5-FU/LV regimen） as first line treatment in advanced colorectal cancer. Methods： 23 patients of advanced colorectal cancer were treated with 5-FU 500 mg/d, civ, d 1-d5, d8-d12, leucovorin 100 mg/d, iv gtt, d1, d8, folic acid tablet 60 mg/d, po, d2-d5, d9-d12, and oxaliplatin 65 mg/（m^2·d）, iv gtt, dl, d8, repeated every 21 days （one cycle）. The effect was evaluated after two cycles. Results： Complete response in 2 cases and partial response in 10 cases were observed with an overall response rate of 47.18%. Adverse effects were mainly grade 1-2, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dental ulcer, peripheral neuritis and myelosuppression. Conclusion： L-OHP/5-FU/LV regimen is an effective and better tolerated alternative treatment in advanced colorectal cancer and yields promising clinical application.     

Clinical study of combining chemotherapy of oxaliplatin or 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin with hydroxycamptothecine for advanced colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE To estimate effects, survival rate after the short-time efficacy, side the treatment of combining chemotherapy of oxaliplatin or 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin with hydroxycamptothecine （HCPT） for the patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
METHODS From January 2002 to November 2005, 59 patients with advanced colorectal cancer confirmed by pathology were enrolled into this study in the department of medical oncology, in the Sixth People＇s Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai. Patients＇ characteristics in two groups were similarly confirmed by statistic. All 37 patients in OH group received oxalip21atin （130 mg/m^2 d1） plus hydroxycamptothecine （6 mg/m d1-4）, and all 22 patients in the HLF group received hydroxycamptothecine （6 mg/m^2 d1-4） plus leucovorin （300 mg d1-5） and 5-fluorouracil （0.375 g/m^2 d1-5）. The regimens in both groups were 21-day cycle that was repeated three weeks. The side effects were evaluated. The efficacy was estimated after two cycles of chemotherapy for each patient.
RESULTS The efficacy of the treatment in the OH group with 37 patients and in the HLF group with 22 patients was estimated. The overall response rate （CR ＋ PR） was 32.4% in the OH group and 22.7% in the HLF group. There was no complete response （CR） and there was no statistical significantly difference （%2= 0.876, P = 0.704） in two groups. The 1-year survival rate was 30.98% in the OH group and 15.02% in the HLF group, and it had no significant difference between the two groups. The median PSF and OS were 5.83 months and 11.17 months in the OH group vs. 7.40 months and 10.48 months in the HLF group, and it had no significant differences between the two groups （P 〉 0.05）. The major side effects of grade III and IV in the two groups were myelosuppression and gastrointestinal reactions. The statistically significant difference in side effects appeared in leukopenia （χ^2= 17.173, P = 0.001）, nausea/vomiting （χ^2= 6.426, P = 0.039）, diarrhea （χ^2= 16.245, P = 0.000） and peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSION The efficacy was almost equal between the OH and the HLF groups, and the two regimens can be used as the second-line treatments for the patients with colorectal cancer. Leucopenia, nausea, diarrhea and peripheral neuropathy appeared more in OH group, and anemia and thrombocytopenia were almost equal between the OH and the HLF groups.     

A phase II trial of weekly high dose continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil plus oral leucovorin in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

Background. In a previous Phase II trial, the authors showed that a weekly continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) at a dose of 3.5 g/m² for 48 hours is an active treatment for advanced colorectal cancer. The overall response rate was 38.5%, and the median survival was 12 months. These data were comparable to those achieved by biochemical modulation of 5-FU with leucovorin. To study the modulation of this weekly, high dose, continuous infusion 5-FU with oral leucovorin, a new Phase II trial was planned. Methods. From December 1991 to July 1992, 43 previously untreated patients with measurable advanced colorectal cancer were included in a multicenter study. They received on an outpatient basis 5-FU at a weekly dose of 3 g/m² by continuous infusion for 48 hours until progression or toxicity. Oral leucovorin (60 mg every 6 hours) also was given during the infusion of 5-FU. Results. Patients received a median dose intensity of 5-FU of 2.2 g/m²/week (range, 0.76-3 g/m²/week). One complete response and 11 partial responses were observed. The overall response rate was 29% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16–45%). Median time to progression was 7 months, and the median survival was 15 months. World Health Organization Grades 3 and 4 diarrhea were observed in 19 (45%) and 6 (14%) patients, respectively. Grade 3 mucositis also was observed in 10 (24%) patients, and Grade 4 mucositis was observed in 1. Grade 3 nausea and vomiting were reported in seven (17%) patients. Grade 3 hand–foot syndrome was detected in only two (2.5%) patients. No leukopenia or thrombocytopenia was observed. Conclusions. Oral leucovorin modulation of a weekly 48-hour infusion of 5-FU at a dose of 3 g/m² of leucovorin is a toxic regimen, always requiring dose reduction, with diarrhea and mucositis as the main limiting toxicities. Its antitumor activity does not seem superior to that observed with a weekly 48-hour infusion of 5-FU alone at a dose of 3.5 g/m². Cancer 1995; 76:559–63.     

A multicenter phase II study of irinotecan (CPT-11) alternated with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Purpose In this multicenter phase II study the efficacy and safety of the alternating schedule of irinotecan (CPT-11) with bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) were assessed as first-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).Patients and methods Enrolled in the study were 43 patients with advanced CRC. They received CPT-11 350 mg/m² i.v. on day 1, alternating with LV 20 mg/m² i.v. and 5-FU 425 mg/m² i.v. daily for five consecutive days, on days 22–26 (Mayo Clinic regimen). One cycle consisted of 6 weeks.Results A total of 179 cycles were administered with a median of four per patient (range one to nine). Efficacy was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. The overall objective response rate was 30% (95% CI 16–44), with four complete responses and nine partial responses, whereas 20 patients (4%) showed stable disease. The median time to disease progression was 9.0 months and median survival was 18.5 months. Grade 3/4 diarrhea was mainly related to CPT-11 rather than to 5-FU (9.3% vs 4.7% of patients), whereas grade 3/4 neutropenia was higher during 5-FU administration (16.3% vs 7.0% of patients).Conclusions The alternating schedule of CPT-11 with 5 days bolus of 5-FU and low-dose LV showed a clinical benefit in terms of tumor growth control as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic CRC. The overall safety data confirmed this alternating combination as a well-tolerated treatment.     

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-α2b 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. Received: 5 November 1995 / Accepted: 17 January 1996     

Trimetrexate as biochemical modulator of 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin in advanced colorectal cancer: final results of a randomised European study.

BACKGROUND: Trimetrexate (TMTX) is a biochemical modulator of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV). Phase II trials have shown promising activity of 5-FU/LV/TMTX in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (ACC). This trial evaluated the effect of TMTX in combination with 5-FU/LV as first-line treatment in ACC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with ACC were randomised to receive either intravenous LV 200 mg/m2/5-FU 600 mg/m2 or TMTX 110 mg/m2 followed 24 h later by LV 200 mg/m2/5-FU 500 mg/m2 plus oral LV rescue. Both schedules were given weekly for 6 weeks every 8 weeks. Patients were evaluated for progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), tumour response, quality of life (QoL) and toxicity. RESULTS: A total of 365 patients were randomised. A statistically significant prolongation of median PFS was seen in patients treated with TMTX/5-FU/LV compared with 5-FU/LV (5.4 months versus 4.1 months, respectively; P = 0.03), and a trend towards a significant benefit for OS (13.4 months versus 10.5 months, respectively; P = 0.08). Tumour response, QoL and toxicity were comparable between the two arms. Diarrhoea was the most frequently occurring grade 3 or 4 toxicity (22% and 30%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of TMTX to a weekly regimen of 5-FU/LV results in a small but significant improvement in PFS without adding toxicity or worsening QoL in patients with ACC.     

Higher capecitabine AUC in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer (SWOGS0030)

Background:

The aging process is accompanied by physiological changes including reduced glomerular filtration and hepatic function, as well as changes in gastric secretions. To investigate what effect would aging have on the disposition of capecitabine and its metabolites, the pharmacokinetics between patients ⩾70 years and <60 years were compared in SWOG0030.

Methods:

Twenty-nine unresectable colorectal cancer patients were stratified to either ⩾70 or <60 years of age, where the disposition of capecitabine and its metabolites were compared.

Results:

Notable increase in capecitabine area under the curve (AUC) was accompanied by reduction in capecitabine clearance in ⩾70 years patients (P<0.05). No difference in 5''-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine, 5''-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (DFUR), and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) AUCs between the two age groups, suggesting that carboxylesterase and cytidine deaminase (CDA) activity was similar between the two age groups. These results suggest that metabolic enzymes involved in converting capecitabine metabolites are not altered by age. An elevation in capecitabine Cmax and reduction in clearance was seen in females, where capecitabine AUC was 40.3% higher in women. Elevation of DFUR Cmax (45%) and AUC (46%) (P<0.05) was also noted, suggesting that CDA activity may be higher in females.

Conclusion:

Increases in capecitabine Cmax and AUC was observed in patients ⩾70 years when compared with younger patients who were >60 years.     

Phase I study of phosphonacetyl-l-aspartate, 5-fluorouracil,and leucovorin in patients with advanced cancer

Low-dose phosphonacetyl-l-aspartate (PALA) may potentiate both 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) incorporation into RNA and thymidylate synthase inhibition by 5-fluorodeoxyuridylate (5-FdUMP). The gastrointestinal toxicity of 5-FU is not increased by PALA administration. Exogenous leucovorin, on the other hand, which enhances thymidylate synthase inhibition, appears to increase the clinical toxicity of 5-FU in a dose-dependent manner. As a result, the clinical use of high-dose leucovorin requires a marked dose reduction of 5-FU. Extracellular leucovorin levels of 1 M suffice to maximize the enhancement of thymidylate synthase inhibition in several models. We conducted a trial to add leucovorin to the PALA/5-FU regimen. We chose a leucovorin dose that was predicted to yield end-infusion total reduced folate concentrations of 1 M. The major endpoint was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of 5-FU in this combination. The regimen consisted of 250 mg/m² PALA given on day 1 and, 24 h later, escalating 5-FU doses ranging from 1,850 to 2,600 mg/m² admixed with 50 mg/m² leucovorin and given by 24-h infusion. Courses were repeated weekly. A total of 24 patients with a median performance status of 1 were entered at three dose levels. Diarrhea was dose-limiting; 6/13 patients had grade II or worse diarrhea at 2,600 mg/m². Dose modification resulted in a mean dose intensity of 2,300 mg/m² at both the 2,600- and 2,300-mg/m² dose levels. The 2,300-mg/m² dose is suitable for phase II testing of this regimen. Three patients (two with breast cancer and 1 with sarcoma) had a partial remission. We measured steady-state concentrations (C_ss) of 5-FU in 23 patients. The mean C_ss increased with dose from 0.738 to 1.03 g/ml. Total body clearance did not vary with dose in this range. Patients with grade II or worse diarrhea had a higher mean C_ss (1.10±0.19) than those with grade O or I toxicity (0.835±0.25,P<0.02). Total bioactive folates (bound and free) were measured using a biological assay. Pretreatment values ranged from 2 to 52 nM and were not predictive of toxicity. End-infusion (23-h) values were somewhat lower than predicted and ranged from 400 to 950 nM. The risk of diarrhea was positively correlated with end-infusion total folate values. In a logistic regression analysis, total folate values obtained at 23 h were a more powerful predictor of diarrhea than were 5-FU C_ss values. These results confirm the contribution of leucovorin to the toxicity of the 5-FU/leucovorin combination and suggest that interpatient differences in folate pharmacology may contribute to the therapeutic index of the 5-FU/leucovorin combination.Supported in part by NCI CA06927, NCI CA38053, and an appropriation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania     

A randomized phase II trial of irinotecan in combination with infusional or two different bolus 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid regimens as first-line therapy for advanced colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Three different therapeutic regimens of irinotecan (CPT-11) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) were evaluated for efficacy and safety in the first-line therapy of advanced colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenously either: CPT-11 125 mg/m(2), FA 20 mg/m(2) followed by 5-FU 500 mg/m(2) bolus, weekly for 4 weeks (arm A, Saltz regimen); or CPT-11 180 mg/m(2) day 1 then FA 200 mg/m(2) over 2 h and 5-FU 400 mg/m(2) bolus and 5-FU 600 mg/m(2) 22-h infusion on days 1 and 2, every 2 weeks (arm B, Douillard regimen); or CPT-11 350 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 43) alternating with FA 20 mg/m(2)/day followed by 5-FU bolus 425 mg/m(2)/day during 5 days (days 22-26) (arm C, Mayo Clinic regimen). RESULTS: A total of 154 patients were included in the study (arm A, 51 patients; arm B, 53; arm C, 50). Overall response rates for the intention-to-treat populations were 33% [95% confidence interval (CI) 21% to 48%], 42% (95% CI 28% to 56%) and 30% (95% CI 18% to 45%) for arms A, B and C, respectively. Median times to progression were 6, 8 and 7 months for arms A, B and C, respectively. Median survival times were 15, 12 and 17 months for arms A, B and C, respectively. Overall response rates for the evaluable patient populations were 40% (95% CI 24% to 58%) in arm A, 44% (95% CI 29% to 60%) in arm B and 31% (95% CI 17% to 47%) in arm C. Neutropenia was the main serious adverse event in arms A (30% of patients) and C (22% of patients) but occurred in only 8% of patients in arm B. Delayed diarrhea was the main severe adverse event for the three regimens, from 15% to 22%. CONCLUSION: All three regimens were highly active. The biweekly combination of CPT-11 and 5-FU/FA (arm B) was notable for its low incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia. The incidence of grade 3/4 delayed diarrhea was equivalent for the three treatment arms.     

L-OHP联合不同使用方法5-FU/FA方案治疗晚期结直肠癌的疗效比较

目的比较L-OHP(奥沙利铂)联合不同使用方法5-FUFA(氟尿嘧啶亚叶酸钙)方案治疗晚期结直肠癌的疗效及不良反应。方法62例患者均可参加疗效评价。ArmA方案(32例):L-OHP130mgm2静滴d1;FA200mg(m2·d),5-FU425mg(m2·d)分别静滴,均d1～5,每3周重复,3周为1周期。ArmB方案(30例):L-OHP85mgm2静滴d1;FA200mg(m2·d)静滴后,5-FU400mg(m2·d)静推,然后5-FU600mg(m2·d)持续微量泵注射22小时,d1～2,每2周重复,4周为1周期。结果ArmA方案CR1例,PR14例,总有效率46.9%。ArmB方案CR1例,PR11例,总有效率40%。严重不良反应较少。结论L-OHP联合不同使用方法5-FUFA方案治疗晚期结直肠癌均有较高疗效,毒副作用相近。     

Short-time infusion of oxaliplatin in combination with capecitabine (XELOX30) as second-line therapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer after failure to irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of oxaliplatin combined with capecitabine (XELOX) as second-line therapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC) resistant to irinotecan is not well established. Oxaliplatin induces acute, cold-induced neuropathy in most patients. The incidence is claimed to be infusion rate-dependent and therefore a 2-h infusion is recommended. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For practical and economic reasons, but also for patient's convenience, we performed a phase II study to examine XELOX30 (capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 orally twice daily on days 1-14 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 as a 30 min infusion on day 1) in patients with ACRC resistant to irinotecan. In addition the pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin was studied. RESULTS: From November 2002 to September 2003, 70 patients with ACRC were treated with XELOX30. Median age was 62 (range 33-74 years) years and median performance status was 1 (range 0-2). The median number of courses was four (range 1-12) and median cumulative dose of oxaliplatin was 530 (range 125-1560) mg/m2. The response rate was 17% (95% CI 10-23), median time to progression (TTP) was 5.4 months (95% CI 4.6-6.4) and median survival 9.5 months (95% CI 8.5-11.2). White blood cell count (WBC) and performance status were significantly correlated to TTP. Neurotoxicity was moderate: grade 1 56%, grade 2 17% and grade 3 6%. Other grade 3 toxicities were nausea/vomiting 9%, diarrhoea 14% and PPE 8%. The maximum blood concentration and total body clearance of oxaliplatin was higher than previously reported in studies examining 2-h infusions, but the volume of distribution and terminal half-life was in close agreement with previous results. CONCLUSION: XELOX30 is a very convenient second-line regimen in ACRC with an activity and safety profile similar to other oxaliplatin schedules.     

A phase II study of paclitaxel combined with infusional 5-fluorouracil and low-dose leucovorin for advanced gastric cancer

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the combination chemotherapy of paclitaxel, infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (FLT regimen) in advanced gastric cancer. The primary end point was the time to progression (TTP). Methods Patients with evaluable disease with or without measurable lesions received 175 mg/m² paclitaxel on day 1 followed by 20 mg/m² leucovorin and 24-h infusion of 5-FU 1,000 mg/m² (day 1-3) repeated every 3 weeks. Results Sixty patients were enrolled. The median TTP and overall survival duration were 13 and 60 weeks, respectively. One-year survival rate was 53.3%. Of the 50 patients with measurable lesion, the overall response rate was 31.7%. The most common grade 3–4 adverse event was neutropenia (61.7%). Conclusion The FLT regimen showed an efficacy comparable to other regimens of cisplatin or anthracycline combinations with the advantage of remarkably low non-hematological toxicity. These data about the efficacy of this regimen need confirmation in a phase III trial.