title: Fluorouracil and high-dose leucovorin in previously untreated patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: results of a phase II trial.
abstract: Forty-two previously untreated patients with advanced, measurable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with weekly fluorouracil (5-FU; 600 mg/m2 intravenous [IV]) and leucovorin 500 mg/m2 IV for 6 weeks followed by a 2-week rest. A median of 11 (range, one to 76) doses were given. There were three partial responses (three of 42 [7%]; exact 95% confidence interval, 1% to 19%) and no complete responses. Median survival was 6.2 months, with seven patients surviving longer than 12 months. The most common toxicity was diarrhea; there was one treatment-related death. Despite promising results in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, this dose schedule of 5-FU and leucovorin does not appear to be superior to 5-FU alone for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Alternative investigative approaches are needed.
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: DeCaprio
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gonin
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Arbuck
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil