title: The fluoropyrimidines: biochemical mechanisms and design of clinical trials.
abstract: Our understanding of the biochemical events of fluoropyrimidine-induced cytotoxicity remains incomplete. However, we have a good perception of the activation and degradation pathways of these agents. Additionally, from studies performed in vitro we are gaining a new appreciation of the interactions between methotrexate and the fluoropyrimidines. These studies suggest that the common clinical practice of simultaneously administering methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil may be disadvantageous. Several simple scheduling modifications of combination therapies with these two drugs could lead to improved clinical efficacy and deserve further investigation.
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008660:Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013941:Thymine / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; D002955:Leucovorin; D013941:Thymine; D005472:Fluorouracil; D013936:Thymidine; D008727:Methotrexate