title: Bioavailability of subcutaneous 5-fluorouracil: a case report.
abstract: The optimal schedule for the administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the management of advanced colorectal cancer remains to be determined. It has been suggested that this drug may be given by the subcutaneous route and that following a short infusion the bioavailability is similar to that observed after intravenous administration. We report the results we obtained in a patient treated with an intravenous bolus of 5-FU followed by a 22-h subcutaneous infusion. In this patient the bioavailability of 5-FU given by subcutaneous infusion was 0.94. The steady-state plasma levels of 5-FU reached during subcutaneous infusion were comparable with those achieved during intravenous infusion. Following four cycles of subcutaneous therapy, painless blistering was noted at the infusion sites, which healed following the cessation of subcutaneous therapy. Further studies are required to evaluate this route of therapy as an alternative to protracted intravenous therapy. The main dose-limiting side effect appears to the local skin toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Eatock
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Carlin
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Dunlop
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soukop
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil