title: Sequential methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil: improved response rate in metastatic colorectal cancer.
abstract: The efficacy of chemotherapy with sequential methotrexate (MTX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in metastatic colorectal cancer was studied in a multicenter phase II trial using a seven-hour time interval. Forty-two patients were evaluable for response and 16 achieved objective tumor regression (greater than 50%). Median survival of all patients was 12.5 months. The result of this study indicates that MTX and 5-FU are synergistic in human colorectal cancer if given sequentially with a seven-hour time interval. This is supported by a review of the literature that reveals a significantly higher response rate in patients treated with a four-hour or more MTX/5-FU interval as compared to a one-hour interval.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate