Treatment of advanced colorectal cancer with methyl-CCNU plus 5-day 5-fluorouracil infusion.
Thirty-six patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma who had not received prior chemotherapy and had tumor sites measurable or evaluable for response received methyl-CCNU at a dose of 175 mg/m2 orally on Day 1 plus 5-fluorouracil at a dose of 30 mg/kg/24 hours by continuous iv infusion for 120 hours (Days 1-5). Doses were chosen to approach the maximum which could be administered in combination. The cycle was repeated 6 weeks later. Objective partial responses occurred in six patients (17%), with five responses apparent after the first cycle and one additional response after the second cycle. The response duration ranged from 1.5 to 18+ months (median, 5 months). Dose-limiting toxic effects included mucositis in 18 patients (50%) and dermatitis in nine patients (25%), while leukopenia (less than 4000 cells/mm3) and thrombocytopenia (less than 100,000 platelets/mm3) were observed on at least one occasion during therapy in 52% and 46% of patients, respectively. 5-Fluorouracil administration by infusion avoided overlapping myelosuppression and allowed a higher total dose to be given with methyl-CCNU. However, the response to the combination did not exceed the results anticipated for the use of either drug alone.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012673:Semustine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; D012673:Semustine; D005472:Fluorouracil