Combination chemotherapy containing semustine (MeCCNU) in patients with advanced colorectal cancer previously treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)

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Abstract
A total of 232 patients with advanced measurable colorectal cancer previously treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) were randomized to one of the following treatments: semustine (MeCCNU) plus vincristine (VCR) [Treatment A] MeCCNU plus dacarbazine (DTIC) [Treatment B]; MeCCNU plus DTIC plus VCR [Treatment C]; MeCCNU plus beta-2''-deoxythioguanosine (.beta.-TGdR) [Treatment D]. Platelet nadirs < 50,000/mm3 were noted in 9% (Treatment A) to 19% (D) of the patients; WBC [white blood cell] nadirs < 2,000/mm3 were noted in 7% (B) to 12% (C,D) of the patients. Severe vomiting was noted in 2% (D) to 14% (B) of the patients. The partial response rates and median survival times from date of randomization were as follows: Treatment A: 3/54 (6%), 19 wk; B: 9/59 (16%), 28 wk; C: 3/60 (5%), 25 wk; D: 2/59 (4%), 19 wk. Differences in response rate and median survival are not statistically significant.