A case of hepatic metastasis from colon cancer successfully treated with 5-FU, levofolinate (l-LV) and low-dose CPT-11

The patient was a 67-year-old man in whom hepatic metastasis from transverse colon cancer was detected 15 months after transverse colectomy (D2). We treated the patient by systemically administering 2 courses of 5-FU 750 mg/day with l-LV 350 mg/day (once weekly for 6 weeks per course). Assessment of therapeutic effects by CT showed PD in the patient. As a second-line therapy, we treated the patient by systemically administering 3 courses of 5-FU 750 mg/day, l-LV 350 mg/day and CPT-11 40 mg/day x 3 days (once a week for 4 weeks per course). After 3 courses of this chemotherapy, CT examination revealed a reduction in the tumor size of the liver, and CEA levels decreased at the end of this chemotherapy. This chemotherapy also showed no high-grade toxicities. l-LV/5-FU/low-dose CPT-11 seems to be effective for metastatic colon cancer, and safe from the toxicity standpoint.