CHEMOTHERAPY FOR COLORECTAL-CANCER WITH A COMBINATION OF PALA AND 5-FU

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 65  (9-10) , 747-753
Abstract
Fifty-one previously untreated patients with advanced, measurable colorectal cancer were randomized to receive single doses of PALA [N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate] and 5-FU [5-fluorouracil] weekly (24 patients) or daily for 5 days every 4 wk (27 patients). In both schedules the daily dose of PALA was administered i.v. over 1 h; the dose of 5-FU was administered i.v. over 30 min starting 3 h after completion of the PALA dose. Doses of both drugs were changed simultaneously, based on toxic effects. Partial responses were seen in 4 of 24 evaluable patients receiving the weekly regimen and in 3 of 26 patients receiving the 5-day regimen. Skin rash, mucositis and diarrhea were the dose-limiting toxic effects in both treatment regimens. These toxic effects were more common and severe at higher doses and on the weekly schedule. Myelosuppression was mild to moderate, even at the highest dose schedules. The combination of PALA and 5-FU at the doses and schedules used did not significantly increase the activity of 5-FU. Further evaluation of these doses and schedules for activity against colorectal cancer is not warranted.