Sequential methotrexate-5-fluorouracil (MTX-5-FU) treatment of patients with advanced gastric and colorectal cancer. Sequential Methotrexate-5-FU Study Group

A multicenter cooperative study was conducted from July 1984 to March 1986 to evaluate the clinical efficacy of sequential MTX-5-FU treatment in 96 cases of advanced gastric cancer and 39 cases of colorectal cancer. 5-FU 600 mg/m2 i.v. was given and MTX 30 mg/m2 (A), 100 mg/m2 (B) and 300 mg/m2 (C) i.v. were given, and the administration interval between MTX and 5-FU was 1 to 3 h for the gastric cancer group, and 7 h for the colorectal cancer group. Leucovorin rescue of 10 mg/m2 p.o. was given 24 h after MTX administration. In the gastric cancer group, the response rate for Regimen A was 23.2% (CR 1 and PR 12) out of 56 evaluable cases, and for Regimen B, 40.5% (CR 1 and PR 14) out of 37 evaluable cases. In the colorectal cancer group, the response rate for Regimen A was 28.6% (PR 6) out of 21 evaluable cases and for Regimen B, 20.0% (PR 3) out of 15 cases. Median survival time for the gastric cancer group was 5.5 months with Regimen A and 7.6 months with Regimen B, and for the colorectal cancer group 10.9 months with Regimen A and 7.9 months with Regimen B. Main adverse effects were marrow impairment and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and stomatitis. In this study Regimen B showed relatively good results. In order to evaluate the biochemical modulation occurring with sequential MTX-5-FU treatment, a further phase III study in gastric cancer patients should be conducted.     

The influence of drug interval on the effect of methotrexate and fluorouracil in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer

The importance of the interval between methotrexate (MTX) and fluorouracil (5-FU) was studied in 168 patients with previously untreated, measurable, advanced colorectal cancer. They were randomized to receive MTX 200 mg/m2, followed by 5-FU 600 mg/m2 either 24 hours (arm A) or 1 hour (arm B) after MTX. All patients received leucovorin (LV) 24 hours after MTX, 10 mg/m2 orally every 6 hours for six doses. The regimen was repeated every 2 weeks, with 5-FU escalation as tolerated. Arm A was significantly better than arm B with respect to overall response rate (29% v 14.5%, P = .026), time to progression (TTP; median, 9.9 months v 5.9 months, P = .009), and survival (median, 15.3 months v 11.4 months, P = .003). Significant differences between arms were not found in response rate, median TTP, or median survival for the subgroup of patients with rectal primaries who comprised 20% of the patients in each arm. Significant factors prognostic for survival were performance status and number of metastases, as well as treatment. Age did not influence survival. Toxicity was similar in both arms and was primarily gastrointestinal. More mucositis was seen in arm A. There were four toxic deaths secondary to neutropenia and infection (one from arm A and three from arm B) and three other deaths (two from arm A and one from arm B) that were possibly drug-related. The combination of MTX with LV rescue and 5-FU is an active regimen in advanced colorectal cancer; its efficacy is increased in colon, but not rectal cancer, when the interval between MTX and 5-FU is long (24 hours) rather than short (1 hour).     

Sequential methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and calcium leucovorin in colorectal carcinoma

Forty-four patients with locally recurrent or metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma were treated with methotrexate (MTX) 100 mg/m2 i.v. followed 1 h later by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 600 mg/m2 i.v. Calcium leucovorin 10 mg/m2 p.o. q 6 h X four doses was given 24 h after MTX. The regimen was given on days 1 and 8 and repeated every 28 days. Six of 44 patients (14%) obtained either complete or partial response with a mean response duration of 6.8 months. Of 26 previously untreated patients there were one complete response (4%), four partial responses (15%), and 12 (46%) instances of stabilization of disease. Patients obtaining response or stabilization of disease experienced improved survival compared to those with progressive disease. Toxicity consisted of stomatitis and hematopoietic suppression requiring dose attenuation in six patients (14%); there were no treatment-related deaths. Sequenced MTX/5-FU is modestly active with acceptable toxicity in previously untreated patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma but offers no apparent advantage over single-agent 5-FU.     

Adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III colon cancer with 5-fluorouracil and levamisole versus 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer has been established during the past decade. From 1990 until recently treatment with 5- fluorouracil (5-FU) and levamisole (LEV) lasting 12 months was recommended as standard treatment. At the initiation of this study in 1993 improvement of adjuvant therapy was expected by the modulation of 5-FU with folinic acid (FA). Therefore, we decided to perform a prospective randomized multicenter trial to compare standard 5-FU/LEV to 5-FU/FA for either 6 or 12 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with stage III colon cancer after curative en bloc resection were randomized in 3 treatment groups: arm A (5-FU/LEV, weekly, 12 months), arm B (5-FU/FA, days 1-5, every 4 weeks, 12 months) and arm C (like B, 6 months). RESULTS: Between March 1993 and November 1997, 180 patients were randomized into the study, 155 were eligible for further evaluation. The interim analysis in November 2000 showed no significant difference for recurrence and disease-free survival in arm B and C, therefore the data from both 5-FU/FA treatment arms (B+C) were combined for comparison with 5-FU/LEV-treatment (A). Most pronounced toxicity in all treatment arms was mild nausea, loss of appetite and leukopenia. A tendency for more diarrhea and stomatitis was observed in arm B+C. After a median follow-up of 36.2 months no significant difference was seen for disease free survival (p = 0.9) and overall survival (p = 1.0). 3-year recurrence rates were 39.6% in arm A and 39.1% in arm B+C, 3-year survival rates amounted to 74.1% in arm A and 74.9% in arm B+C. CONCLUSION: Only a limited number of patients could be recruited in this study. The observed data support the results of other studies, which concluded that 6 months (or 12 months) treatment with 5-FU/FA is equivalent to 12 months treatment with 5-FU/LEV. Therefore the 6 months treatment with 5-FU/FA can be supported as standard for adjuvant therapy of stage III colon cancer.     

A phase III study of 5-fluorouracil versus 5-fluorouracil plus interferon alpha 2b versus 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin in patients with advanced colorectal cancer: a Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG) study

We conducted a phase III study in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma (ACC). The total number of patients randomized from October 1993 until July 1998 was 192, whereas therapy was started on 179 and 158 (82.3%) have been evaluable. The treatment schedules consisted of weekly bolus administration for 6 weeks of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 600 mg/m2 (arm I) versus 5-FU (500 mg/m2) intravenous bolus and interferon-alpha, 5 MU subcutaneously, three times a week (arm II) versus leucovorin 200 mg/m2 in 2-hour infusion and 5-FU 500 mg/m2 intravenous bolus at the midtime of leucovorin infusion (arm III) followed by a 2-week rest period. Treatment was continued for six cycles or until progression. This study failed to show any superiority of the modulated 5-FU versus single administration of 5-FU. There were no significant differences between the three arms in the overall response rate (10.3% versus 11.3% versus 12.9%, p = 0.95), the time to tumor progression (median, 3.9 versus 3.8 versus 6.0 months, p = 0.59), or survival duration (median, 14.7 versus 12.4 versus 16.3 months, p = 0.71). The incidence of severe (grades III and IV) toxicity was significantly higher in patients in arm II and III (24.5% and 18.6%) versus arm I (6.0%) (p = 0.01). Because modulated 5-FU failed to show superiority versus 5-FU, new agents and new strategies are needed for the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma.     

Long-term results with FAMTX (5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, methotrexate) in advanced gastric cancer

In a phase II trial we tried to evaluate the efficacy of a sequential combination of high-dose (HD) MTX and 5-FU combined with Adriamycin (ADM). In a pilot study we found HDMTX effective as a single agent in gastric cancer. MTX and 5-FU were combined sequentially because Cadman and Bertino had shown synergism for this combination. The treatment protocol consisted of HDMTX, 1.5 g/m2 of body surface, and HD5-FU, 1.5 g/m2. MTX was administered 1 hour prior to 5-FU. Both drugs were given as a bolus. 24 hours after MTX administration, citrovorum factor rescue was started, 15 mg/m2, q6h x 12, orally. 48 hours after MTX administration, the serum concentration of the drug was measured by HPLC. 14 days after MTX was given, ADM, 30 mg/m2, was injected as a bolus. This protocol was repeated every 28 days. Patients eligible for this treatment were required to have a creatinine clearance of greater than 60 ml/min. 116 patients with metastasized gastric cancer and a performance status between 40 and 70% were treated. The response rate was 58% (67/116 patients). 14/116 patients (12%) had complete remission. The median survival probability for all patients was 9 months, for responders 15 months, while for patients with complete response it has not been reached. The median survival for nonresponders was only 4 months. Around 10% of all patients lived longer than 6 years. The median follow-up-time was 4 years. Cytostatic treatment was relatively well tolerated. The deaths of 3 patients were drug-related. A quarter of all patients could be treated on an outpatient basis.     

Randomised study of tegafur and oral leucovorin versus intravenous 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

This randomised, open-label trial compared oral tegafur (FT)/leucovorin (LV) with the intravenous bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/LV as first-line chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients were randomised to receive oral FT 750 mg/m2/day for 21 days and LV 15 mg/m2 every 8 h in cycles repeated every 28 days (n=114), or intravenous LV 20 mg/m2 followed by 5-FU 425 mg/m2 daily for 5 days every 4 weeks for 2 cycles, and later every 5 weeks (n=123). Response rate was significantly higher in the FT/LV arm (27%, 95% CI 19-35) than in the 5-FU/LV arm (13%, 95% CI 7-19) (p<0.004). The median time to progression was 5.9 months (95% CI, 5.3-6.5; FT/LV arm) and 6.2 months (95% CI, 5.4-6.9; 5-FU/LV arm). Median overall survival was 12.4 months (95% CI, 10.3-14.5 months; FT/LV arm) and 12.2 months (95% CI, 8.9-15.7 months; 5-FU/LV arm) (p=n.s.; hazard ratio FT/LV:5-FU/LV=1.02). 5-FU/LV showed a higher incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia (4.1 vs. 0%). Non-hematological toxicities showed similar incidences in the two treatment arms. Oral FT/LV was more active than IV 5-FU/LV in terms of objective response rate with similar overall survival, and with a favorable toxicity profile. This makes FT/LV a valid alternative to the IV 5-FU schedule in CRC patients.     

Bolus/infusional 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid. A report on two prospective, consecutive phase II studies with 5-fluorouracil dose escalation.

We have used a relatively new trial methodology, the group sequential design, to prospectively evaluate two dose levels of bolus/infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid in 192 consecutive-patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. On day 1, all patients received 200 mg m(-2) of folinic acid infusion over 2 h. Cohort A (n = 102 patients) received 500 mg m(-2) 5-FU by i.v. 15-min infusion followed by an infusion of 500 mg m(-2) 5-FU over 22 h. Treatment was repeated on day 2 and further cycles given 2-weekly. After sequential analysis excluded a response rate of over 40%, cohort B (n = 90 patients) received an increased dose of 600 mg m(-2) 5-FU bolus and infusion. Patients had received no prior 5-FU therapy and the two cohorts had similar demographic features. In 179 evaluable patients, the overall response rate was 18% (95% CI 12-24%) with CR of 6% and PR of 12%, with no difference between the two cohorts. Overall median survival was 34 weeks (95% CI 30-39) with no significant difference between cohorts (median survival 32 and 37 weeks in cohort A and B respectively; P = 0.27). On multivariate analysis, poor performance status, elevated initial WBC and alkaline phosphatase and low serum albumin were associated with reduced survival (P < 0.05), and initial raised WBC showed an association with reduced likelihood of response (P = 0.002). Overall toxicity was low with CTC grade 3 mucositis, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting in < or = 6% of patients and no treatment-related deaths. Significant (grade 3 or above) leucopenia was more common in cohort B than in cohort A (9% and 1% respectively); there were more dose reductions, and the median administered dose intensity was lower in cohort B than in cohort A (89% and 97% respectively; P = 0.006). In this group of relatively unselected patients, we have confirmed a relatively low objective response rate and median survival of 7.8 months with this regimen. There was no significant difference in outcome between the two dose levels but the higher dose of 5-FU was associated with more dose reductions and greater toxicity.     

A randomized clinical trial with a weekly regimen of 5-fluorouracil with or without folinic acid in advanced gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas: a preliminary report

Eighty patients with advanced gastrointestinal tumors (64% with colorectal cancer) entered a phase III prospective randomized study with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) vs 5-FU + folinic acid (FA) The treatment included 5-FU, 600 mg/m2/week for 6 weeks, given as i.v. bolus alone (arm A), or administered by rapid injection half-way through a one-hour infusion of FA, 200 mg/m2/week for 6 weeks (arm B). Partial remission (PR) was achieved in 1 out of 30 (3%) evaluable patients for 6 months in arm A, and in 10 out of 34 (29%) patients in arm B, with a median duration of 8 months (range 6-17) (comparison of the response rate: P = 0.005). In patients with colorectal cancer the response rate was 5% and 27% in arm A and in arm B respectively (P = 0.06). Two patients, who were resistant to 5-FU alone, achieved PR after treatment with 5-FU + FA. Diarrhea was observed in 14/42 patients (33%) in arm B (grade 1-2 in 10 and grade 3 in 4) and in 2/38 patients (5%) in arm A (P = 0.005). Other side effects such as nausea/vomiting, myelosuppression and stomatitis were infrequent and of mild intensity in both arms. No statistical difference in survival was detected when comparing the two groups (estimated median survival 8 months and 11 months for arm A and arm B respectively). These results seem to indicate that the weekly regimen of 5-FU + FA has a superior response rate compared to 5-FU alone, and that it is well tolerated. However, the advantage is not reflected in overall survival.     

A prospective randomized trial of 5-fluorouracil versus 5-fluorouracil and high-dose leucovorin versus 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate in previously untreated patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma

Seventy-four previously untreated patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma were prospectively randomized into one of three treatment regimens: (1) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 450 mg/m2 as an intravenous (IV) bolus daily for five days or toxicity, then 200 mg/m2 IV bolus every other day for six doses; (2) methotrexate (MTX) 50 mg/m2 in normal saline by IV infusion over four hours followed by an IV bolus of 5-FU 600 mg/m2. This was administered weekly for 4 weeks and then every 2 weeks. (3) Leucovorin 500 mg/m2 in a two-hour IV infusion of normal saline with 5-FU 600 mg/m2 as an IV bolus one hour after the Leucovorin began every week for 6 weeks. The combined complete and partial response rates in the three regimens were 11%, 5%, and 48%, respectively (P = .0009). The median duration of response in the 5-FU and Leucovorin regimen was 10 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment regimens with respect to survival time (P = .6). Toxicity in the 5-FU and Leucovorin regimen was predominantly diarrhea (13 of 30 patients, 40%). In this regimen, eight of 13 patients (52%) who developed diarrhea not only required a dose reduction of 5-FU, but also hospitalization for IV hydration. The predominant toxicity in the 5-FU alone regimen and the 5-FU and MTX regimen was leukopenia. One drug-related death occurred in each regimen.     

A prospective randomized study of irinotecan (CPT-11), leucovorin (LV) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) versus leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to compare the activity and toxicity of an irinotecan (CPT-11), leucovorin (LV) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) combination with a standard regimen of 5FU and LV, in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. One hundred and sixty patients were randomized; 80 patients (group A) received LV 20 mg/m(2) bolus i.v. and 5FU 425 mg/m(2) bolus i.v. on days 1-5, every 28 days; 80 patients (group B) received CPT-11 80 mg/m(2) (30-90 min i.v. infusion), followed by LV 20 mg/m(2) bolus i.v. and 5FU 425 mg/m(2) bolus i.v. on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36, every 8 weeks. The overall response rate was 30% and 47.5% in groups A and B respectively. Progression-free survival was significantly higher in the triple-drug combination arm (median 7.5 vs. 4.5 months; p= 0. 0335). However, overall survival did not differ significantly between the two arms (15 months vs. 14 months for the groups B and A respectively; p=0.3531). The main grade 3 adverse events were diarrhea (19%, in group A vs. 35% in group B; p=0.032) and mucositis (2% vs. 14%; p=0.017). The regimen containing irinotecan showed activity in advanced colorectal cancer. The overall safety data confirm this combination as a well-tolerated treatment.     

Irinotecan combined or alternated with bolus 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid versus the Mayo Clinic regimen in the first-line therapy of advanced colorectal cancer

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of two regimens of irinotecan, combined or alternated with bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA), and the Mayo Clinic regimen as first-line therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 152 patients with advanced CRC were randomised, and 149 patients were treated intravenously by irinotecan 125 mg/m2, FA 20 mg/m2 followed by 5-FU 500 mg/m2 bolus, weekly for 4 weeks (arm A, Saltz regimen; n=46), or irinotecan 350 mg/m2 alternating with FA 20 mg/m2/day followed by 5-FU bolus 425 mg/m2/day for 5 days (arm B; n=53), or FA 20 mg/m2/ day followed by 5-FU bolus 425 mg/m2/day over 5 days every 4 weeks (arm C, Mayo Clinic regimen; n=50). Patients were analyzed for tumor response, time to progression, overall survival, safety and quality of life. The overall response rate for evaluable patients in arm A was 33% [95% confidence interval (CI), 17-49%], in arm B was 32% (95% CI, 16-49%) and in arm C was 26% (95% CI, 12-40%). Median times to progression were 7.9, 7.0 and 6.9 months and median survival times were 22.2, 17.0 and 18.2 months for arms A, B and C, respectively, in the intention-to-treat population. The main grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (7%, 39% and 12%) and diarrhea (6%, 21% and 18%). In conclusion, both regimens containing irinotecan were active and well tolerated in patients with advanced CRC.     

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.     

Prognostic significance of p16 in locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer treated with concurrent 5-fluorouracil, hydroxyurea, cetuximab and intensity-modulated radiation therapy

A phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of incorporating cetuximab and simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT) into a well-described 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and hydroxyurea (HU)-based chemoradiation regimen. Patients with stage IVa-IVb or high-risk stage III squamous cell carcinomas were enrolled. Prior organ-conserving surgery or induction chemotherapy was allowed. IMRT was administered in 1.5 Gy fractions twice daily on days 1-5 of weeks 1, 3, 5, 7±9 for a total dose of 60-73.5 Gy. Concurrent systemic therapy consisted of 5-FU (600 mg/m2), HU (500 mg BID) and cetuximab (250 mg/m2). p16INK4A expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. From January 2007 to January 2010, 65 patients (61 with stage IV disease; 31 with oropharyngeal primaries) were enrolled. At a median follow-up of 28 months, 2-year locoregional control, distant control, progression-free survival, event-free survival and overall survival were 79, 83, 72, 63 and 80%, respectively. In 48 patients with available pre-treatment tissue, p16 overexpression was associated with significantly increased distant control (p=0.03), progression-free survival (p=0.02), event-free survival (p=0.007) and overall survival (p=0.03). The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were mucositis (46%), leukopenia (18%), anemia (18%) and dermatitis (17%). Concurrent 5-FU, HU, cetuximab and SIB-IMRT is a highly active regimen, particularly in patients with p16-positive disease.     

FOLFOXIRI (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan) vs FOLFIRI (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil and irinotecan) as first-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCC): a multicentre randomised phase III trial from the Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG)

To compare the efficacy and toxicity of oxaliplatin (L-OHP) in combination with irinotecan (CPT-11), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) (FOLFOXIRI) vs irinotecan and 5-FU/LV (FOLFIRI) as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCC). A total of 283 chemotherapy-na?ve patients with MCC were enrolled (FOLFIRI arm: n=146; FOLFOXIRI arm: n=137). In the FOLFOXIRI arm, CPT-11 (150 mg m(-2)) was given on d1, L-OHP (65 mg m(-2)) on d2, LV (200 mg m(-2)) on days 2 and 3 and 5-FU (400 mg m(-2) as i.v. bolus and 600 mg m(-2) as 22 h i.v. continuous infusion) on days 2 and 3. In the FOLFIRI arm, CPT-11 (180 mg m(-2)) was given on d1 whereas LV and 5-FU were administered in the same way as in the FOLFOXIRI regimen. Both regimens were administered every 2 weeks. There was no difference in terms of overall survival (median OS: 19.5 and 21.5 months, for FOLFIRI and FOLFOXIRI, respectively; P=0.337), median time to disease progression (FOLFIRI: 6.9 and FOLFOXIRI: 8.4 months; P=0.17), response rates (33.6 and 43% for FOLFIRI and FOLFOXIRI, respectively; P=0.168). Patients treated with FOLFOXIRI had a significantly higher incidence of alopecia (P=0.0001), diarrhoea (P=0.0001) and neurosensory toxicity (P=0.001) compared with patients treated with FOLFIRI. The present study failed to demonstrate any superiority of the FOLFOXIRI combination compared with the FOLFIRI regimen, although the observed median OS is one of the best ever reported in the literature.     

Adjuvant sequential methotrexate --> 5-fluorouracil vs 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin in radically resected stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer

The aim of the study was to determine whether modulation of 5-fluorouracil (FU) by methotrexate (MTX) improves survival compared to FU+6-s-leucovorin (LV) following potentially curative resection of stage II and III colon cancer. Within 8 weeks from surgery, 1945 patients with stage III (44%) or high-risk stage II (55%) colon cancer were randomly assigned to receive either 6 monthly cycles of FU 370 mg m(-2) i.v. bolus preceded by LV 100 mg m(-2) i.v. bolus on days 1-5, or 6 monthly cycles of sequential MTX 200 mg m(-2) i.v. days 1 and 15 and FU 600 mg m(-2) i.v. on days 2 and 16 followed by LV rescue (15 mg given p.o. q 6 h x 6 doses). Levamisole 50 mg p.o. t.i.d. on days 1-3, every 14 days for 6 months, was planned to be given in both arms. After a median follow-up of 4.2 years, 568 patients have relapsed and 403 have died. Survival was similar with MTX --> FU and FU+LV (77 vs 77% at 5 years; P = 0.90), as were 5-year disease-free survivals (67 vs 63%; P = 0.44). Efficacy results were similar for both stage III and II patients. There were two toxic deaths, two in the MTX --> FU arm (0.2%) and zero in the control arm. We conclude that biochemical modulation of FU with LV or with MTX produces similar results in the adjuvant setting of colon cancer.     

High-dose methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. A randomized study of two pretreatment intervals

Thirty-two patients with untreated advanced colorectal carcinoma received high-dose methotrexate pretreatment followed sequentially by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Patients were randomized to receive high-dose methotrexate pretreatment at one of two intervals (0 h or 3 h before 5-FU). There were 16 patients in each study arm. The median methotrexate dose was 1,000 mg/m2 (range, 600-1,200 mg/m2) and that of 5-FU was 1,000 mg/m2 (range, 800-1,200 mg/m2). Treatments were repeated every 21 days. Three patients achieved partial remission (1 in the 3-h interval arm and 2 in the 0-h interval arm). As the response rate using this regimen was noted to be 9% with a less than 5% chance of achieving a response rate higher than 20%, we terminated this study although the therapy resulted in mild-to-moderate but infrequent toxicity. We thus conclude that pretreatment with high-dose methotrexate given at short intervals followed by 5-FU has no significant activity against colorectal carcinoma.     

5-fluorouracil plus folinic acid with or without ifosfamide in advanced colorectal cancer: a phase II randomized trial

AIM: This phase II trial evaluated the biomodulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus folinic acid (FA) with or without ifosfamide (IFO) in chemotherapy-naive patients with colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients were randomized to receive: FA (25 mg/m2 iv bolus days 1 to 3), followed by 5-FU (750 mg/m2 iv bolus days 1 to 3), arm A; or FA (25 mg/m2 iv bolus days 1 to 3), followed by 5-FU (750 mg/m2 iv bolus days 1 to 3) plus IFO (2,000 mg/m2 in 1000 mL 5% dextrose in a 2-hr infusion, days 1 to 3), arm B. Mesna was added during and after IFO to prevent hemorrhagic cystitis. Treatment was repeated every 21 days in both arms. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were assessable for response: in arm A, 5 patients achieved a partial response (overall response, 25%), and in arm B, 2 patients achieved a complete and 1 a partial response (overall response, 12%). Time to failure was 3.5 months (range, 1-38) in patients treated with 5-FU plus FA, and 3 months (range, 1-21) in patients treated with the IFO combination. The median survival time was 13.5 months (range, 1-49 months) in arm A and 16 months (range, 1-43 months) in arm B. Diarrhea, stomatitis and vomiting were the most common nonhematologic toxicities in both arms. The most notable hematologic toxicity was leukopenia; 15% and 20% of patients experienced grade 4 in arm A and arm B, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IFO does not increase the activity of the 5-FU plus FA combination in advanced colorectal cancer.     

French multicenter phase III randomized study testing concurrent twice-a-day radiotherapy and cisplatin/5-fluorouracil chemotherapy (BiRCF) in unresectable pharyngeal carcinoma: Results at 2 years (FNCLCC-GORTEC)

BACKGROUND: Unresectable carcinomas of the oropharynx and hypopharynx still have a poor long-term prognosis. Following a previous phase II study, this phase III multicenter trial was conducted between November 1997 and March 2002. METHODS: Nontreated, strictly unresectable cases were eligible. Twice-daily radiation: two fractions of 1.2 Gy/day, 5 days per week, with no split (D1-->D46). Total tumor doses: 80.4 Gy/46 day (oropharynx), 75.6 Gy/44 day (hypopharynx). Chemotherapy (arm B): Cisplatin 100 mg/m2 (D1, D22, D43); 5FU, continuous infusion (D1-->D5), 750 mg/m2/day cycle 1; 430 mg/m2/day cycles 2 and 3. RESULTS: A total of 163 evaluable patients. Grade 3-4 acute mucositis 82.6% arm B/69.5% arm A (NS); Grade 3-4 neutropenia 33.3% arm B/2.4% arm A (p < 0.05). Enteral nutrition through gastrostomy tube was more frequent in arm B before treatment and at 6 months (p < 0.01). At 24 months, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and specific survival (SS) were significantly better in arm B. OS: 37.8% arm B vs. 20.1% arm A (p = 0.038); DFS: 48.2% vs. 25.2% (p = 0.002); SS: 44.5% vs. 30.2% (p = 0.021). No significant difference between the two arms in the amount of side effects at 1 and 2 years. CONCLUSION: For these unresectable cases, chemoradiation provides better outcome than radiation alone, even with an "aggressive" dose-intensity radiotherapy schedule.     

Sequential high dose methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid does not improve response rates in advanced colorectal cancer

27 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated in a phase-II trial with high dose sequential methotrexate (MTX), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and folinic acid (FA). Following a 4 h infusion of 800 mg/m2 MTX and a 4 h interval, 1,500 mg/m2 5-FU and 200 mg/m2 FA were given as a 24 h infusion. Out of 23 evaluable patients we observed one partial remission and 9 disease stabilizations. Median survival time of all patients was 10.4 months. Overall toxicity was low. In comparison to a previous trial we did not observe better treatment results by adding high dose FA to a sequential MTX/5-FU schedule.