title: High-dose folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil in advanced colorectal cancer.
abstract: Twenty-three patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with folinic acid (200 mg/m2/day 1-5 IV bolus injection) and 5-fluorouracil (400 mg/m2/day 1-5 IV in 15 minutes) every 28 days. Only three patients were pretreated. Objective response was observed in 6 (30%) of 20 evaluable patients (three complete and three partial responses). The median duration of response was 9 months (range 5-15) and time to disease progression ranged from 2 to 12 months (median 6 months). Median survival was 21 months (range 12-23+) for responders. Another 6 (30%) patients had stabilization of disease. Toxicity was generally gastrointestinal (mucositis, diarrhea, nausea); moderate leukopenia was noted. The response rate found in this study indicates that folinic acid administered in high doses enhances the effectiveness of 5-FU administered concomitantly in colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Service of Internal Medicine Institute, General Hospital S. Maria, Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Costanzo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bartolucci
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Padalino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brugia
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buzzi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil