Sodium Folinic Acid Research Articles

Sarcoidosis Associated with Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

Acute lung injury occasionally occurs after chemotherapy, but pulmonary toxicities by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy have rarely been identified. A 76-year-old female with rectosigmoid colon cancer presented with ongoing dyspnea after the eighth cycle of standard chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, sodium folinic acid, and oxaliplatin: FOLFOX). Nodular consolidation progressed despite antibiotics and BAL fluid analysis was compatible with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Corticosteroid therapy rapidly improved the symptoms and radiographic findings. We report this first case of secondary sarcoidosis related to FOLFOX therapy with review of references.

Efficacy and toxicity of second-line AIO plus irinotecan (IRI) after pretreatment with AIO plus oxaliplatin (L-OHP) in the sequential therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).

3561 Background: The FOLFIRI followed by FOLFOX6 (or vice versa) schedule has been considered as the gold standard of sequential treatment in CRC (Tournigand C. JCO 2004). In contrast to those bi-weekly schedules, the wide-spread weekly chemotherapy administration (e.g. AIO regimen), has not been investigated as yet for second-line treatment. The AIO + IRI schedule has provided promising results in the first-line treatment of CRC (Köhne C.-H. JCO 2005). Therefore, we now investigated the efficacy and toxicity of this schedule in second-line treatment in a phase II study. Methods: From 5/02 to 6/10, 60 palliative patients (pts.) with histologically proven CRC were enrolled in an oligocentric phase II study based on the following regimen: weekly IRI (80 mg/m2 i.v.) as 1h-infusion (inf.): d1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, qd 57 followed by 5-FU (2000 mg/m2 i.v.) combined with sodium folinic acid (500 mg/m2, d1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, qd 57) as a 24h-inf. via port-a-cath. This study focused on the efficacy and toxicity of second-line treatment with AIO + IRI. Results: Last date of evaluation: November 30, 2012; evaluable for efficacy: n = 58 pts., evaluable for toxicity: n = 59 pts.; men/women: 28/72%; median age: 65y; primary tumor location: rectum/colon: 45/55%.; toxicity data: higher grade toxicity (grade 3-4): leukocytopenia: 5.1%; thrombocytopenia: 1.7%; vomiting: 3.4%; diarrhea: 13.5%; hand-foot-syndrome: 1.7%; alopecia (grade 2) 3.4%; efficacy data: PFS: 4.2 m; median OS 14.2 m, RR: 10%; AIO + IRI following AIO + L-OHP achieved a median OS of 25.0 months. Conclusions: In the field of second-linetreatment of CRC the AIO plus IRI regimen offers both a favorable toxicity profile and promising results in terms of efficacy compared with the FOLFIRI regimen.

Granulomatous Lung Disease Requiring Mechanical Ventilation Induced by a Single Application of Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: A Case Report

Combined chemotherapeutic regimens in conjunction with oxaliplatin are considered safe and effective treatment options in the clinical management of metastatic colorectal cancer. A 62-year-old male patient with a metastatic rectal carcinoma developed a pulmonary reaction after the first application of the combined standard chemotherapy regimen (5-fluorouracil and sodium folinic acid as a 24 h infusion and oxaliplatin). Following the first dose of chemotherapy, the patient developed acute dyspnoea and fever. A computerised scan of the chest revealed bilateral pulmonary patchy consolidation. Despite high-dose empiric antibiotic and antimycotic treatment, no clinical improvement was seen. The patient's condition deteriorated, and he required invasive mechanical ventilation. Diagnostic thoracoscopic wedge resections were performed for further diagnosis. The histological workup revealed distinct granulomatous inflammation, but no microbial pathogens were to be found. Thereupon, a drug-induced reaction to chemotherapy was suspected and high-dose steroid treatment initiated. Subsequently, the patient's respiratory condition improved and he was extubated. The present case exemplifies the rare course of a bilateral pneumonia-like, drug-induced granulomatous reaction following a single application of oxaliplatin. In addition to the known side effects of oxaliplatin-containing combination chemotherapy, unexpected serious adverse events in the form of pulmonary toxicities should also be taken into account.

Palliative first-line therapy with weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil and sodium folinic acid as a 24-hour infusion (AIO regimen) combined with weekly irinotecan in patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or esophagogastric junction followed by secondary metastatic resection after downsizing

SummaryBackgroundThe aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/folinic acid (FA) as 24-h infusion (AIO regimen) plus irinotecan in patients with histologically proven metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (UICC stage IV).Material/MethodsFrom 08/1999 to 12/2008, 76 registered, previously untreated patients were evaluable. Treatment regimen: irinotecan (80 mg/m2) as 1-h infusion followed by 5-FU (2000 mg/m2) combined with FA (500 mg/m2) as 24-h infusion (d1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, qd 57).ResultsMedian age: 59 years; male/female: 74%/26%; ECOG ≤1: 83%; response: CR: 1%, PR: 16%, SD: 61%, PD: 17%, not evaluable in terms of response: 5%; tumor control: 78%; median OS: 11.2 months; median time-to-progression: 5.3 months; 1-year survival rate: 49%; 2-year survival rate: 17%; no evidence of disease: 6.6%; higher grade toxicities (grade 3/4): anemia: 7%, leucopenia: 1%, ascites: 3%, nausea: 3%, infections: 12%, vomiting: 9%, GI bleeding of the primary tumor: 4%, diarrhea: 17%, thromboembolic events: 4%; secondary metastatic resection after downsizing: 16 patients (21%), R-classification of secondary resections: R0/R1/R2: 81%/6%/13%, median survival of the 16 patients with secondary resection: 23.7 months.ConclusionsCombined 5-FU/FA as 24-h infusion plus irinotecan may be considered as an active palliative first-line treatment accompanied by tolerable toxicity; thus offering an alternative to cisplatin-based treatment regimens. Thanks to efficient interdisciplinary teamwork, secondary metastatic resections could be performed in 16 patients. In total, the patients who had undergone secondary resection had a median survival of 23.7 months, whereas the median survival of patients without secondary resection was 10.1 months (p≤0.001).

Downsizing after palliative systemic chemotherapy with weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as a 24h-infusion and sodium folinic acid (AIO regimen) plus irinotecan in patients with metastatic adenocarcinomas of the stomach or the gastro-esophageal junction followed by secondary metastatic resection

e15585 Background: Due to the positive experience with combined AIO plus irinotecan (iri.) in a phase II trial (Möhler M et al, Br J Cancer 2005), this combination has been applied as first-line treatment in our department since 1999. Methods: 76 chemonaive patients (pts.) with histologically proven metastatic adenocarcinomas of the stomach or AEG tumours (tum.) (UICC IV), deemed to be non-resectable by the Interdisciplinary Tumour Board (ITB), were enrolled from 08/99 to 12/08. Chemotherapy (chemoth.) schedule: iri. (80 mg/m2 i.v. as 1h-infusion (inf.); d1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, qd 57) followed by 5-FU (2000 mg/m2 i.v.) with sodium folinic acid (500 mg/m2; d1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, qd 57) as 24h-inf. via port-a-cath. After downsizing the patients were again presented at the ITB. In 16 out of 76 pts. (21%) a secondary (sec.) metastatic resection (res.) with curative intent was taken into account. This collective is presented here evidencing the efficacy of this interdisciplinary procedure in palliative (pall.) treatment of gastric cancer. Results: Last date of evaluation: Dec/31/2008; median age: 58,7 years; men/women: n=12/4; res. of the primary tum. prior to pall. chemoth.: yes/no: n=2/14, ECOG 0/1: n=5/11; primary tum. localisation: AEG tum.: n=7; gastric carcinoma: n=9, elevated CEA yes/no: n=5/11, elevated CA19–9 yes/no: n=5/11. Number of metastatic localisations: 1/2/3: 69%/19%/12%, chemoth. application: total number:267; average value/patient:17 cycles altogether: 46, median cycles/pt.: 3, higher grade tox. (grade 3–4): anaemia 4%; diarrhea 2%, vomitus 2%, fever/infection 2%; response: PR 32%; SD 56 %; PD 6%; not evaluable 6 %; tum. control (PR, SD) 88 %; sec. res.: R0: 82 %; R1: 6 %, R2: 6 %; RX: 6%; gastrectomy with peritonectomy (R0): n=4 (25%), gastrectomy with lymph node dissection (D4,R0): n=6 (38%); HIPEC: n=4 (25%); 1-year survival:81%, 2-year survival: 44%, 3-year survival: 25%; deceased pts.: n=9 (56%), NED 19% (n=3). Conclusions: In our trial curative resections could be achieved in 82 % of the pts. During a follow-up of 20 months a NED status could be documented in 19% of the patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Palliative first-line treatment with weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil and sodium folinic acid (s-FA) (AIO-schedule) as 24h-infusion plus biweekly oxaliplatin (ox) in patients with definitively non-resectable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) following secondary (sec.) metastatic resection: An interdisciplinary phase II trial

e15073 Background: In an interdisciplinary phase II trial performed from 1995 to 1997 and based on a 5-FU monotherapy it was possible to achieve both a sec. metastatic resection after downsizing in 9 patients (17%) and a R0 resection offering curative option in 6 patients (11%) out of a total collective of 53 treated patients (Wein et al, Ann Oncol 2001). The objective of this phase II trial is to verify whether a combination therapy based on ox may improve the curative option in terms of a sec. metastatic resection in a patient cohort with identical inclusion - and exclusion criteria. Methods: Prospective evaluation of 50 patients.; palliative chemotherapy: ox (oxaliplatin, 85 mg/m2 i.v. as a 2h-infusion (inf.); d 1, 15, 29 qd 57) followed by 5-FU (2000 mg/m2 i.v. as a 24h- inf.; d 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36 qd 57) together with s-FA (Oncofolic, 500 mg/m2 i.v. as a 24h-inf.; d 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36 qd 57) via a miniature pump system. Results: Last date of evaluation: Sep/30/2008; median age: 63 years; chemoth. appl.: total number: 935; higher grade toxicity (grade 3+4): diarrhea 20,0 %, nausea 4,0 %; vomitus 6,0 %; hand-foot-syndrome 2,0 %; fever/infection 2,0 %; response: CR: 2,0 %; PR: 52,0 %; SD: 32,0 %; PD: 12,0 %; not evaluable: 2,0 %; tumor control (CR, PR, SD): 86,0 %; sec. metastatic resection: R0: 28,0 %; R1: 2,0 %; R2 8,0 %; TTP (n = 50): 9,8 months. Conclusion: Combination chemotherapy with weekly 5-FU and s-FA (AIO) plus bi-weekly ox on an outpatient basis is an effective palliative treatment schedule offering a high rate of curative metastatic resection with solely low grade toxicity and no higher grade neurotoxic side effects. Final results in terms of median survival remain to be seen whereas they are certainly influenced by the second line therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Cetuximab with irinotecan/folinic acid/5-FU as first-line treatment in advanced gastric cancer: A nonrandomized multicenter AIO phase II study

4534 Background: Cetuximab has demonstrated high efficacy in combination with irinotecan-based therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer and irinotecan/folinic acid/5-FU (IF) may be an effective alternative to cisplatin-based regimens in advanced gastric cancer. We therefore conducted a phase II AIO study to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of cetuximab combined with IF as first-line treatment in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Methods: Patients (pts) were eligible with untreated adenocarcinoma of the stomach or oesophagogastric junction, with ECOG performance status (PS) < 2, measurable lesions and adequate organ functions. Pts received weekly cetuximab (first dose 400 mg/m2, subsequent doses 250 mg/m2) combined with chemotherapy consisting of irinotecan (80 mg/m2) plus 24 hours continuous infusion of sodium folinic acid (Na-FA: 200 mg/m2) and 5-FU (1500 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and 36 of a 50-day cycle. Treatment was continued until tumor progression and tumor assessments were performed every 2nd cycle. Results: Between Aug 2006 and Sep 2007, 49 pts were enrolled: 71% were males, median age was 63 years (range 33–77), median PS was 0 (65% pts), and 69% of pts and 31% of pts had gastric and oesophagogastric junction carcinomas, respectively. The median treatment time was 15.2 weeks (range 1.1–69.1). Grade 3/4 toxicities were diarrhoea (17% pts), skin reactions (13% pts), anorexia (9% pts), anaemia and fatigue (7%pts), allergic reactions, leucopoenia and neutropenia (4% pts each). Among 48 response-evaluable pts, the overall response rate (CR + PR) was 42% (CR 4%/PR 38%) and the tumour control rate was 73%. Median progression-free and overall survival times were 8.5 months (36.6 weeks; 95% CI 30.1; 48.1) and 16.6 months (71.1 weeks; 95% CI 50; 93.4), respectively. Conclusions: Cetuximab plus IF was well tolerated and encouraging survival data were observed. Cetuximab combined with chemotherapy in advanced or metastatic gastric cancer is under further investigation in an ongoing phase III trial. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil as a 24-h infusion and sodium folinic acid (AIO regimen) plus irinotecan in patients with locally advanced nonresectable and metastatic adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus: a phase II trial

In the majority of patients with oesophageal carcinoma, curative treatment proves to be impossible when diagnosis was established; therefore, most of the patients are candidates for palliative chemotherapy. The aim of this phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid (AIO regimen) plus irinotecan in patients with locally advanced or metastatic carcinoma of the oesophagus. The methods used a prospective phase II trial, start: November 2002; patients: n=25; chemotherapy: irinotecan (80 mg/m2) as a 1-h infusion and 5-fluorouracil (2000 mg/m2) with sodium folinic acid (500 mg/m2) as a 24-h infusion on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and 36, repeated on day 57. Last date of evaluation: 28 February 2007; n=24; adenocarcinoma: n=13, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): n=11; UICC III/IV: 3/21; grading G1/G2/G3/G4: 0/8/12/4; median age: 58 years (range 44-75); men/women: 19/5; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group index 0/1/2: 3/17/4; applications: 460. Higher-grade toxicity: grade 3 diarrhoea: n=2, grade 4 diarrhoea: n=1, grade 4 vomiting: n=1, grade 4 nausea: n=1, grade 3 fatigue: n=1, grade 3 hyponatraemia: n=2, grade 4 elevation of creatinine: n=1, thrombosis of the vena subclavia: n=1, ischaemic lesion of the brain stem: n=1. Three patients died after two chemotherapeutic applications because of high tumour burden. Evaluable for response: n=19. Partial response: n=8 (33%), stable disease: n=9 (38%), progressive disease: n=2 (8%), not evaluable: n=5 (21%). Time-to-progression: 6.6 months (range 1.6-24.6). Total median survival: 13.6 months (median survival of adenocarcinoma: 20.3 months, median survival of SCC: 10.0 months). Secondary resection (R0): n=3. In oesophageal carcinomas, the AIO regimen plus irinotecan is excellently manageable as an outpatient treatment and shows efficacy in adenocarcinomas and SCCs of the oesophagus.

Palliative first-line treatment with weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil and sodium folinic acid (s-FA) (AIO-schedule) as 24h-infusion plus bi-weekly oxaliplatin (ox) in patients with definitively non-resectable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) following secondary (s.) metastatic resection: An interdisciplinary phase II-Trial

Palliative first-line treatment with weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil and sodium folinic acid (s-FA) (AIO-schedule) as 24h-infusion plus bi-weekly oxaliplatin (ox) in patients with definitively non-resectable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) following secondary (s.) metastatic resection: An interdisciplinary phase II-Trial

Palliative first-line treatment with weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and sodium folinic acid (s-FA) (AIO-schedule) as 24h-infusion plus biweekly oxaliplatin (ox) in patients with definitively nonresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) following secondary (sec) metastatic resection: An interdisciplinary phase II trial

15064 Background: In an interdisciplinary phase II trial performed from 1995–97 and based on a 5-FU monotherapy (AIO schedule) it was possible to achieve both a sec. metastatic resection after downsizing in 9 patients (17%) and a R0 resection offering curative option in 6 patients (11%) out of a total collective of 53 treated patients (Wein et al, Ann Oncol 2001). The objective of this phase II trial is to verify whether a combination therapy based on ox may improve the curative option in terms of a sec. metastatic resection in a patient cohort with identical inclusion - and exclusion criteria. Methods: Prospective evaluation of 44 pts.; trial start: Jan/13/1998; palliative chemotherapy: ox (Eloxatin, 85 mg/m2 i.v. as a 2h-infusion (inf.); d 1, 15, 29 qd 57) followed by 5-FU (2,000 mg/m2 i.v. as a 24h- inf.; d 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36 qd 57) and s-FA (Oncofolic, 500 mg/m2 i.v. as a 24h-inf.; d 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36 qd 57) via miniature pump system. Results: Last date of evaluation: Nov/30/07; primary tumor localisation with local R0 resection: coecum: 4.4%; colon asc: 6.7%; flex hep 2.2%; colon transv: 2.2%; colon desc: 2.2%; sigma: 31.1%; rectum: 51.1%; median age: 63 years; men/women: 75.6/24.4%; ECOG 0/1/2: 40.0/48.9/11.1 %; chemoth. appl: total number: 789; higher grade tox. (G 3+4): leucopenia: 0%; diarrhea 15.5%, nausea 2.2%; vomiting 6.7%; hand-foot-syndrome 2.2%; mucositis 0%; fever/infection 4.4%; no higher grade neurotoxicity; response: PR: 43.2%; SD: 36.4%; PD: 15.9%; not evaluable: 4.5%; tumor control (CR, PR, SD): 79.6%; sec. metastatic resection: R0: 24.4%; R2 8.9%; TTP: 8,7 months. Conclusions: Combination chemotherapy with weekly 5-FU and s-FA (AIO) plus bi-weekly ox on an outpatient basis is an effective palliative treatment schedule offering a high rate of curative metastatic resection with solely low grade toxicity and no higher grade neurotoxic side effects. Final results in terms of median survival remain to be seen, whereas they are certainly influenced by the second-line therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Weekly high-dose 5-FU as a 24h-infusion and sodium folinic acid (AIO regimen) plus Irinotecan in patients with locally advanced non-resectable and metastatic adenocarcinoma or squamous epithelial carcinoma of the esophagus: Analysis of a phase II trial

15051 Background: In the majority of patients with esophageal carcinoma curative treatment proves to be impossible when establishing the diagnosis. While adenocarcinomas (ac) of the oesophago-gastric junction are increasingly treated in the same way as gastric carcinomas, the most frequently applied palliative chemotherapy regimen for both advanced squamous epithelial carcinomas (sec) of the oesophagus and gastric carcinomas is a combination of 5-FU and cisplatin. The question should be answered whether the AIO regimen plus irinotecan may achieve similarly positive results in esophageal carcinomas such as in gastric carcinomas (median survival (ms) up to 11 months). Methods: Prospective phase II trial, patients: n=25, trial start: 11/2002, chemotherapy: Irinotecan (80 mg/m2 i.v. as 1h-infusion; d 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, qd 57) as well as sodium folinic acid (500 mg/m2 i.v.) together with 5-FU (2000 mg/m2 i.v.; d 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, qd 57) as 24h-infusion via a miniature pump system. Results: Last date of evaluation: 31/12/2006: n=25; ac: n=13, sec: n=12; UICC III: n=3, UICC IV: n =22; grading G1/G2/G3/G4: 0/10/10/5; median age: 58 (44- 77) years; men/women: 20/5; ECOG 0/1/2/3: 3/17/4/1; chemotherapeutic applications: 429. Evaluable in terms of toxicity: n=25. Higher grade toxicity: grade (g) III diarrhea: n=2, g III hyponatremia: n=1, g III stomatitis: n=1, g III fatigue: n=1, g III vomiting: n=1, g IV nausea: n=1, g IV elevation of creatinine: n=1, thrombosis of the vena subclavia: n=1, ischemic lesion of the brain stem: n=1. 4 patients died after 2 chemotherapeutic applications due to known peritoneal carcinomatosis and high tumour burden. Evaluable in terms of response: n=25. PR: n=7 (28%), SD: n=10 (40%), PD: n=2 (8%), not evaluable: n=6 (24%). Cases of death: n=18. Total ms: 13 months (95% CI 3,9–22,1). ms of ac: 20 months (95% CI 8,6–31,4). ms of sec: 8 months (95% CI 0,0–17). Secondary resection (R0): n=2. Conclusion: In oesophageal carcinomas the AIO regimen plus irinotecan is excellently manageable on an outpatient basis and shows high efficacy in both adenocarcinomas and squamous epithelial carcinomas of the oesophagus. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and mitomycin C in combination with infusional 5-fluorouracil and sodium folinic acid in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer: results of a phase II trial

Mitomycin C (MMC) in combination with infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a well-tolerated active combination therapy for advanced gastric cancer. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) has been combined with this regimen in a phase I study exhibiting promising activity in patients with upper gastrointestinal tumors. In the present study, we investigated activity and tolerability of this three-drug regimen in patients with gastric cancer. Patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer were recruited to receive weekly infusional 5-FU (2000 mg/m2) mixed with sodium folinic acid (FA; 500 mg/m2) in one pump (days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36). On days 1 and 29, Caelyx (20 mg/m2) was given as a 1-h, and MMC (7 mg/m2) was applied as bolus injection on days 8 and 36. Treatment courses were repeated on day 57. Twenty-seven patients with a median age of 66 years were recruited in a single center; 56% had histologically proven peritoneal carcinomatosis and 26 patients are evaluable for toxicity. Common Toxicity Criteria of the National Cancer Institute grade 3 toxicity was recorded in 34% of the patients (anemia 12%, leukocytopenia 8%, febrile neutropenia 4%, thrombocytopenia 12%, nausea 15%, diarrhea 8% and mucositis 4%). One patient developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome. One complete (5%) and eight partial responses (42%) were observed in 19 patients evaluable for response according to WHO criteria. Seven patients had no change (37%) and three (16%) progressive disease. Six patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis not amenable to WHO response assessment had progression-free intervals between 8 and 21 months. Median survival for all patients was 14.7 months and median time to progression was 8.4 months. We conclude that this new three-drug combination regimen yields a promising overall response rate (47%) in patients with gastric cancer despite the inclusion of a majority of elderly patients at moderate or high risk of death in this trial. Its safety and good tolerability as established in the phase I trial was confirmed.

Phase II Study of a Weekly 24-Hour Infusion with 5-Fluorouracil and Simultaneous Sodium – Folinic Acid in the First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Background: A weekly continuous 24-hour infusion therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and calcium – folinic acid (CA-FA) was shown to be an effective first-line treatment in advanced metastatic colorectal cancer. Sodium – folinic acid (S-FA) is a new formulation which, in contrast to CA-FA allows the simultaneous i.v. administration in combination with 5-FU in one pump. Patients and Methods: From 1997 to 1998, 51 patients [median age 60 (range 24–77) years; 38 male, 13 female] with metastatic colorectal cancer were recruited in 5 centers to receive weekly 24-hour infusions of 5-FU (2,600 mg/m²) and S-FA (500 mg/m²) dissolved in one pump for 6 weeks as first-line treatment. The treatment cycle was repeated after a 2-week rest period. Results: 1,178 administrations (median 24, range 3–54) were performed during the study. Out of 51 patients (median follow-up 20.2 months), 2 (3.9%) achieved complete remission (CR), 17 (33.3%) partial remission (PR), and 21 (41.2%) no change (NC). Progressive disease (PD) was observed in 11/51 (21.6%) patients, including 6 patients who did not complete the first cycle. Median time to tumor progression (TTP) was 8.5 months (95% CI: 5.8–11.3). 32/51 (62.7%) patients survived for more than 1 year, the median survival was reached at 16.5 months (95%CI: 10.2–22.8). Among major toxicities, NCICTC grade III/IV diarrhea occurred in 13/51 (25.4%), grade III hand-foot syndrome in 6/51 (11.7%) patients. Grade III/IV stomatitis was observed in 4/51 (7.8%), cardiac toxicity occurred in 2/51 patients (3.9%). Conclusion: Similar to conventional 24-hour 5-FU + CA-FA treatment, the combination with S-FA induced 37.2% objective responses with moderate toxicity. However, TTP seems favorable and the administration of S-FA is convenient, while saving costs and time for the patient in outpatient units.

Phase-II-study of a 24-h infusion with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and simultaneous sodium-folinic acid in the first-line-treatment of advanced colorectal cancer: interim analysis

Phase-II-study of a 24-h infusion with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and simultaneous sodium-folinic acid in the first-line-treatment of advanced colorectal cancer: interim analysis