A phase II study of oral UFT and leucovorin concurrently with pelvic irradiation as neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation with continuous infusion (CI) of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) is widely used in rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of oral tegafur-uracil (UFT) and leucovorin (LV) instead of CI 5FU.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Patients had resectable T3-4 or low T2 rectal adenocarcinoma. Chemoradiation consisted of pelvic irradiation (45 Gy in fractions of 1.8 Gy) and oral UFT (240 mg/m2/day) and LV (30 mg/day) given during the first 28 days of radiotherapy.

RESULTS:

Thirty-two patients were treated; 81% had T3-4 tumors and 25% had N+ disease. Toxicity, predominantly gastrointestinal, was generally mild. Grade 3 toxicity occurred in only one patient. Pathological down-staging was noted in 13 patients (42%) and pathological complete response in 3 (10%). Sphincter preservation was possible in 71% of patients undergoing surgery.

CONCLUSION:

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation with oral UFT/LV is well-tolerated and active against rectal cancer. Formal comparison with the current standard treatment is warranted.

• Authors: Yulia Kundel, Baruch Brenner, Zvi Symon, Bernice Oberman, Siegal Sadezki, Moshe Koller, Raphael Catane, Raphael Pfeffer
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 2007 Jul-Aug Vol. 27 Issue 4C Pg. 2877-80 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 17695464 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Tegafur
• Uracil
• Leucovorin

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adult
• Aged
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
• Female
• Humans
• Leucovorin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoadjuvant Therapy
• Neoplasm Staging
• Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
• Rectal Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology, radiotherapy, surgery)
• Tegafur (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Uracil (administration & dosage, adverse effects)