Comparison of oral ftorafur and intravenous 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced cancer of the stomach, colon or rectum

In this prospective randomized study the effect of oral Ftorafur was compared with that of intravenous 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach, colon or rectum. Forty-five patients were evaluable. The overall response rates were 26.9% in the 5-fluorouracil group, 26.7% in the Ftorafur group. The median duration of response was 6 months in both groups. Survival in the 5-fluorouracil group was slightly better than in the Ftorafur group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The myelosuppressive effect of 5-fluorouracil was significantly stronger than that of Ftorafur. Gastrointestinal side effects were more pronounced in the Ftorafur group, but the difference was not statistically significant.