title: [A cooperative late phase II trial of l-leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. l-Leucovorin and 5-FU Study Group (Japan Western Group)].
abstract: A multicenter cooperative study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of l-leucovorin (l-LV) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment in 69 cases of advanced gastric cancer. l-LV was administered intravenously by a 2-hour infusion at a dosage of 250 mg/m2 and 5-FU at a dosage of 600 mg/m2, intravenously via bolus one hour after administration of l-LV had been started. The combination was given weekly for 6 weeks followed by a 2-week rest period. Patients were evaluated for response after the sixth dose. Nineteen PRs were noted in the 55 patients for an overall response rate of 34.5%. Median survival time was 190 days for eligible cases, and 448 days for PR cases. Age and performance status (PS) appeared to influence clinical response. Patients aged 49 years or younger showed a significantly higher PR rate than those aged 50 years or older. The PR rate was significantly higher in the patients of PS 0-1 than those of PS 2. Diarrhea and leukopenia were experienced in 46.7% and 65% of patients, respectively. Patients who had severe toxicities required discontinuity of treatment. After recovery, treatment was repeated. The clinical results are promising for patients with advanced gastric cancer, particularly middle-aged patients. However, whether the l-leucovorin and 5-FU combination therapy will ultimately produce superior results in middle-aged patients awaits the results of Phase III trials.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Internal Medicine, Uji Tokusyukai Hospital.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taguchi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohtani
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yonemura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohno
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hirabayashi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil