title: Epirubicin, cisplatin and infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (ECF) in hepatobiliary tumours.
abstract: Hepatobiliary tumours are rare, often present late and have a poor prognosis, with no current effective systemic therapy available. This study aimed to evaluate the activity and toxicity of epirubicin, cisplatin and continuous infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (ECF) in patients with these tumours. From March 1991 to November 1993, 25 patients with advanced biliary tumours and 7 with hepatoma were treated with epirubicin 50 mg/m2 and cisplatin 60 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) day 1, each given every 21 days and 5-FU 200 mg/m2/day given as a continuous 24 h i.v. infusion throughout the treatment course. 8 of the 20 (40%) evaluable patients with biliary tumours responded. Median duration of response was 10 months. 2 of the 7 (29%) patients with hepatoma responded. The regimen was well tolerated with minimal haematological and non-haematological toxicity. This novel regimen is active in advanced hepatobiliary tumours.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil