Leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil as a treatment for disseminated cancer of the pancreas and unknown primary tumors.

Abstract

Chemotherapy with leucovorin (100 to 200 mg) and 5-fluorouracil (30 mg/kg) every 2 wk produced four (three complete) objective responses among a group of eight patients with early metastatic pancreatic primary and unknown cancers. Complete remissions were associated with exceptionally long durations of survival, one in a patient failing prior combination chemotherapy. This treatment warrants testing because of its ease, scientific rationale, and the large population of patients with early metastatic pancreatic cancer for whom there is no accepted treatment. Early metastatic disease is defined as small metastatic lesions not immediately life threatening found in a physiologically intact patient. Controlled trials, demonstrating benefit associated with other 5-fluorouracil-containing regimens for patients with nonmetastatic stages of pancreatic cancer, provide a rationale for extending testing of leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil to other early stages of pancreatic cancer.

• Authors: H W Bruckner, J Crown, A McKenna, R Hart
• Journal: Cancer research (Cancer Res) Vol. 48 Issue 19 Pg. 5570-2 (Oct 01 1988) ISSN: 0008-5472 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3046742 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Leucovorin
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Bone Neoplasms (secondary)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Leucovorin (administration & dosage)
• Liver Neoplasms (secondary)
• Lung Neoplasms (secondary)
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms, Unknown Primary
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (drug therapy)