5-FU INFUSION IN ADVANCED COLORECTAL-CANCER - A COMPARISON OF 3 DOSE SCHEDULES

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 69  (7-8) , 739-742
Abstract
Ninety-four patients with advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma were treated by continuous i.v. 5-FU [5-fluorouracil] infusion on 3 different dose schedules. Thirty-three patients received a 72-h infusion of 5-FU (30 mg/kg/24 h) every 3 wk (Group A); 31 received a 72-h infusion of 5-FU (30 mg/kg/24 h) every 2 wk (Group B); and 30 received a 48 h infusion of 5-FU (30 mg/kg/24 h) every wk (Group C). Although this was a sequential nonrandomized study of the dose schedules, the groups were comparable with respect to various prognostic factors. Response rates were as follow: Group A.sbd.3 patients had minor response (9%) and 30 had no response (91%); Group B.sbd.5 patients achieved partial response (16%), 9 had minor response (29%) and 17 had no response (55%); and Group C.sbd.1 patient achieved complete response (3%), 8 achieved partial response (27%), 5 had minor response (17%) and 16 had no response (53%). The median survival time for Group A was 9 mo., Group B was 9.5 mo. and Group C was 14 mo. Intensifying the dose schedule of 5-FU by increasing the frequency of administration has significantly improved response rates. A prolongation of the median survival time of patients treated with a 48-h infusion at 1-wk intervals was noted, although this was not statistically significant.