title: Mitomycin C, 5fluorouracil and folinic acid in combination with alpha 2b interferon for advanced colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to investigate the activity and toxicity of 5fluorouracil folinic acid+mitomycin C combined with alpha 2b interferon in advanced colorectal cancer based upon recent studies suggesting a possible biochemical modulation of 5fluorouracil by interferon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 1990 and April 1991 25 previously untreated patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma were treated with mitomycin C 10 mg/m2 iv bolus on day 1, 5fluorouracil 375 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4 and folinic acid 200 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4 every 4 weeks, combined with alpha 2b interferon 3 million U day continuously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 25 patients entered into the study, 20 were evaluable for response as 5 patients withdrew due to toxicity (grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 4 cases and fatigue in 1). No complete response was recorded, 6 patients had partial remission (30%; 95% confidence interval, 10% to 50%), 4 experienced no change and 10 showed progressive disease. The toxicity of this regimen was significant, particularly myelosuppression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This combination showed a significant toxicity and low response rate compared with other 5fluorouracil based regimens in advanced colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Regional Hospital Torrette, Ancona.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Battelli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manocchi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pilone
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delprete
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mazzanti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bascioni
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Battelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016685:Mitomycin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil