Evaluation of low dose continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced and recurrent renal cell carcinoma. A Southwest Oncology Group Study.
BACKGROUND
The response rate of metastatic renal cell cancer to cytotoxic therapy over the last 10 years has been 5.6%. Low dose continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has demonstrated efficacy in other cytotoxic refractory tumors, such as pancreas, colorectal, and recurrent breast. The Southwest Oncology Group undertook a Phase II trial of low dose, continuous 5-FU in metastatic renal cell cancer.


METHODS
Sixty-one patients were entered in the study to receive 300 mg 5-FU/m2/day for 7 days via a central venous catheter and external programmable pump. The pump was refilled every 7 days. Pyridoxine (50 mg, orally) was administered prophylactically three times a day.


RESULTS
A response of 5.2% (one complete response [CR] and two partial responses [PRs]) was achieved. The overall survival was 12 months. The duration of the CR is more than 30 months. Both PRs lasted 6 months. No survival advantage was noted with either prior nephrectomy or biologic therapy. The majority of toxicities were Grade 2: anemia, anorexia, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and stomatitis. No toxic deaths occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Low dose, continuous 5-FU demonstrated minimal activity in metastatic renal cancer.
Kish
J A
JA
Wayne State University Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan.
Wolf
M
M
Crawford
E D
ED
Leimert
J T
JT
Bueschen
A
A
Neefe
J R
JR
Flanigan
R C
RC
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D015996:Survival Rate
D005472:Fluorouracil