title: Phase II study of intra-arterial fluorouracil and mitomycin-C for liver metastases of colorectal cancer.
abstract: Effectiveness, toxicity and complications of 5-fluorouracil (FU) and mitomycin-C (MMC) treatment were analyzed in 30 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer confined to the liver. The treatment schedule was FU 2.0-2.5 g/day for 5 days followed by MMC 10 mg/m2 every 2 h on day 6 to a maximum total dose of 60 mg. Treatment courses were repeated every 6 weeks and were given on an outpatient basis via external pump and arterial port systems. In 30 fully evaluable patients, one complete response, 17 partial responses (overall response rate 60%), and stabilization of disease in 8 patients (26%) were obtained for a median duration of 13 months. Median overall survival was 18.2 months (25.5 months for responding patients, 15 months for nonresponders). Grade 1-2 toxicity (WHO classification) consisted of leukopenia (23%), mucositis (20%), nausea/vomiting (16%), and abdominal pain (10%). Two patients (7%) developed severe mucositis. No life-threatening side effects were observed; in particular, there was no sclerosing cholangitis or chemical hepatitis. Catheter-related problems (occlusion, displacement, rupture, infection) occurred in 10 patients (33%) at a median follow-up time of 12 months. We conclude that intra-arterial FU and MMC constitute an effective, safe, and nontoxic treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer confined to the liver. Catheter-related problems are the most important factors limiting treatment.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik, Triemli Spital, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Metzger
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weder
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Röthlin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Largiadèr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008937:Mitomycins; D016685:Mitomycin; D005472:Fluorouracil