title: A phase I trial of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and recombinant interferon alpha-2b in patients with advanced malignancy.
abstract: We conducted a phase I trial of fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin, (LCV), and recombinant interferon-alpha-2b (rIFN-alpha-2b). The doses of each of the three agents were escalated sequentially. 5-FU and LCV were administered by IV bolus, weekly for 6 weeks and rIFN-alpha-2b was administered by subcutaneous injection, three times weekly for 6 weeks. Twenty-nine patients with advanced cancer (75% colon or pancreatic cancer) were treated. Partial remissions were observed in three patients (10%) with previously untreated colon cancer, colon cancer refractory to 5-FU plus LCV and previously untreated pancreatic cancer, respectively. An additional three patients with pancreatic, prostate, and rectal cancer had a 50% reduction in tumor markers but no change in objective tumor measurements. The toxicity of this regimen was tolerable. The most common toxicities were diarrhea, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, nausea/vomiting, and mucositis. However, no fatal or life-threatening toxicities were observed. We conclude that the combination of 5-FU, LCV, and rIFN-alpha-2b can be safely administered and recommend further evaluation of this regimen in patients with tumors of gastrointestinal origin using doses of 5-FU 600 mg/m2, LCV 500 mg/m2, and rIFN-alpha-2b 10 x 10(6) U.
authors.affiliation: Arizona Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Modiano
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Woodson
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Alberts
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hersh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil