5-Fluorouracil by protracted venous infusion: a review of recent clinical studies.

Abstract

The pharmacokinetics of continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil make it an ideal drug to administer as a protracted infusion (continuous infusion more than 30 days). During the last decade numerous clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) administered as a protracted venous infusion. Phase II studies in metastatic colorectal cancer in 345 patients have demonstrated an average response rate of 36% (range 15-59%) and a prospective randomized study performed by the Mid-Atlantic Oncology Program (MAOP) has confirmed a higher response rate with 5FU infusion compared with a bolus schedule. Phase II studies in refractory carcinoma of the breast in 177 patients have demonstrated a 30% response rate (range 17-50%); studies in pancreatic, gastric, and refractory prostate cancer have also demonstrated clinical utility. The major toxicities of 5FU infusion are mucositis and hand-foot syndrome; life-threatening myelosuppression is rare and treatment-related deaths have not been reported. 5FU infusion is a useful palliative treatment for many adult patients with advanced malignancies.

• Authors: R M Hansen
• Journal: Cancer investigation (Cancer Invest) Vol. 9 Issue 6 Pg. 637-42 ( 1991) ISSN: 0735-7907 [Print] England
• PMID: 1747791 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Interferon-alpha
• Leucovorin
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
• Breast Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Colorectal Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Drug Evaluation
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage, pharmacokinetics)
• Humans
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Interferon-alpha (administration & dosage)
• Leucovorin (administration & dosage)
• Prospective Studies