Abstract
Background: This study was designed to measure the dihydrouracil (UH<sub>2</sub>)/uracil (U) ratio in plasma as a surrogate marker for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity and to investigate the relationships of the UH<sub>2</sub>/U ratios in plasma with the toxicities of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based adjuvant chemotherapy and 5-FU plasma concentrations in colorectal cancer patients. Methods: Thirty colorectal cancer patients received adjuvant chemotherapy of leucovorin plus 5-FU after operations. The concentrations of UH<sub>2</sub>, U and 5-FU were assayed by the high-performance liquid chromatography method. The relationships of the UH<sub>2</sub>/U ratios with the 5-FU toxicities and 5-FU plasma concentrations were analyzed.Results: There was a negative relationship between the UH<sub>2</sub>/U ratios and 5-FU plasma concentrations (p <0.001). 5-FU toxicities had a negative correlation with the UH<sub>2</sub>/U ratios and a positive correlation with 5-FU plasma concentrations (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The UH<sub>2</sub>/U ratio in plasma has close correlations with the 5-FU plasma concentration and 5-FU toxicity during chemotherapy, which may highlight the theoretical base of individual therapy for patients with colorectal cancer.
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