title: Modulation of fluorouracil with recombinant alfa interferon: M. D. Anderson Clinical trial.
abstract: Clinical trials have been initiated examining the combination of fluorouracil (5-FU) and recombinant interferon alfa-2a (rIFN-2a) in the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinomas. An early trial reported a response rate of 76%, encouraging further investigation. Clinical trials have used 5-FU administered as a continuous intravenous infusion, 750 mg/m2 per day for 5 consecutive days, followed by weekly bolus administration of 5-FU 750 mg/m2. Recombinant interferon alfa-2a, 9 million units, was administered subcutaneously three times weekly. Of 45 evaluable patients treated at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, a response rate of 35% (95% confidence interval, 22%, 50%) was observed. Twenty-five percent of patients developed grade 4 toxicity and 82% developed grade 3 toxicity. The median survival was 16 months. Investigation of this combination will require randomized trials to further assess activity in relation to alternative treatments.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center,Houston.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pazdur
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bready
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005472:Fluorouracil