A report of infusional 5-fluorouracil and subcutaneous alpha-2A-interferon in the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma.
Systemic chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been the mainstay of treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Administering the drug in a continuous low-dose schedule has produced better result than bolus therapy. Resistance to short-pulse treatment can also be overcome by prolonged exposure. Recent studies suggest the feasibility of biomodulation of 5-FU with recombinant interferon (rIFN alpha-2a) with improved response. Sixteen patients were treated with continuous 5-FU 250 mg/m2 and rIFN alpha-2a 10 x 10(6) u thrice weekly for a maximum of 24 weeks. Five of them had received bolus 5-FU previously. Nine (82%) of the chemonaive group and 1 (20%) previously treated patient had partial response. The median duration of response was 7 months. Grade II to III mucositis were seen in 44% of the patients and 2 patients developed neurological complications. Although the overall response appeared encouraging, the incidence of toxicity was high. In the absence of further phase III studies, rIFN alpha-2a biomodulation of 5-FU cannot be regarded as standard treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma.
Koo
W H
WH
Department of Medical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
Ang
P T
PT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015996:Survival Rate
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005472:Fluorouracil