title: 5-Fluorouracil and recombinant alpha interferon-2a in the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma: a dose optimization study.
abstract: A dose optimization study was carried out with the aim of identifying the maximally tolerated dose of recombinant alpha interferon-2a (raIFN-2a) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5FU). 5FU was given at the dose of 750 mg/m2 over a 4-hour infusion on day 1- - greater than 5 followed by 750 mg/m2 weekly i.v. bolus. Recombinant aIFN-2a was started at 3 x 10(6) IU subcutaneously three times/week. 12 patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma were included in the study. 10 patients had previously received chemotherapy for advanced disease. Severe fatigue, most likely attributable to rIFN, was the dose-limiting toxicity. The dosage of raIFN-2a could not be further escalated above 12 x 10(6) IU. At this dose level all patients required dose reduction due to fatigue, fever, myalgia and severe reduction of performance status.
authors.affiliation: Section of Clinical Oncology, University of Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palmeri
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gebbia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rausa
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000628:therapy*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005472:Fluorouracil