We report a case of
irinotecan-resistant
colon cancer responding to
chronotherapy with
oxaliplatin (L-OHP),
5-FU, l-LV (l-
Leucovorin). A 72-year-old man was examined at a certain hospital because of
constipation and appetite loss. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed lung
metastases, and abdominal CT revealed liver
metastases. He was then referred to our hospital. A colonoscopy revealed type 2
tumor in the colon, at the hepatic flexure. We diagnosed
adenocarcinoma of the colon with
metastases to the liver and lung. Resection of the primary lesion was performed, and
chemotherapy consisting of systemic administration of
CPT-11,
5-FU and l-LV was performed. After 2 courses of combined treatment with
CPT-11/5-FU/l-LV, CT revealed considerable reduction of the metastatic
tumors. However, after 3 courses of combined treatment, progressive disease was observed and new brain and bone
metastases were detected. We imported and used a non-approved/pending
drug,
oxaliplatin from the Remedy and Health Corporation, with informed consent from the patient and his family and our clinical ethics committee. Chronotherapeutic schedules have been performed, from which the safety and activity of
oxaliplatin against advanced
colorectal cancer was reported. Our patient received a 5-day course of chronomodulated
5-FU and l-LV (750 and 300 mg/body/day, respectively; peak delivery rate at AM 4:00 hours) with L-OHP on the first day of each course (100 mg/body, as a 6-hour infusion). Each course was again repeated every 21 days. A partial response was observed in the liver and lung
metastases. These results indicate that chronomodulated
5-FU and LV with L-OHP
therapy could be an effective regimen for cases of
irinotecan-resistant
colon cancer.