title: Phase I and plasma pharmacokinetic study of infusional fluorouracil combined with recombinant interferon alfa-2b in patients with advanced cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Enhanced fluorouracil (FUra) cytotoxicity caused by recombinant interferon alfa-2b (rIFN-a) has been reported, but the mechanism, optimal dose, and schedule remain unknown. Therefore, a phase I and pharmacokinetic study of FUra with escalating doses of rIFN-a was initiated.
  
  
  METHODS
  FUra (750 mg/m2/d) was given by continuous intravenous (IV) infusion for 5 days. rIFN-a (0.1 to 15 x 10(6) U/m2/d) was given subcutaneously (SC) daily for 5 days concurrent with FUra. Courses were repeated every 14 to 21 days. Forty-four patients were enrolled; 39 received at least two courses. During the first course of therapy, FUra levels before and after administration of rIFN-a were quantitated in 26 patients by high-pressure liquid chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The maximum-tolerated dose of rIFN-a was 10 x 10(6) U/m2/d. Stomatitis was dose-limiting. Three partial and five minor responses occurred. Interpatient pharmacokinetics showed that rIFN-a did not alter steady-state plasma concentration (Css; range, 0.77 +/- 0.35 mumol/L to 1.85 +/- 0.48 mumol/L), elimination half-life (t1/2; mean, 9.7 +/- 4.3 minutes), area under the concentration-versus-time curve (AUC; range, 93 to 224 mumol/L x hours), total-body clearance (CI; range, 1,172 to 3,236 mL/min), or volume of distribution (range, 11.9 to 49.2 L) of FUra. Intrapatient data evaluation revealed a dose-independent effect of rIFN-a. The mean FUra Css after rIFN-a administration (1.31 mumol/L) was greater than that before rIFN-a administration (1.02 mumol/L, P < .0001). FUra Cl after rIFN-a administration was reduced by 20% to 35% compared with use of FUra alone (P < .0001). Patients with a greater than 20% decrease in FUra Cl had a fourfold greater incidence of diarrhea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  rIFN-a reduces FUra Cl and, consequently, increases FUra-associated toxicity. Phase II studies of FUra and rIFN-a seem to be warranted.
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
authors: L L
authors: LL
authors: Danhauser
authors: J H
authors: JH
authors: Freimann
authors: T L
authors: TL
authors: Gilchrist
authors: J U
authors: JU
authors: Gutterman
authors: C Y
authors: CY
authors: Hunter
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Yeomans
authors: A B
authors: AB
authors: Markowitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005472:Fluorouracil