Phase II trials of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in patients with metastatic gastric or pancreatic carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Previous trials in patients with colorectal carcinoma have indicated that enhancement of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by leucovorin (LV) can result in an improved response rate and increased survival.


METHODS
Phase II trials were performed with patients who had either gastric or papcreatic adenocarcinoma with inetastases. Forty-one gastric carcinoma patients and 31 pancreatic carcinoma patients with measurable disease were treated with 5-FU, 425 mg/m2 intraveneosly (i.v.) on Days 1-5 plus LV, 20 mg/m2 i.v., on Days 1-5, reported at 4 and 8 weeks, and then every 5 weeks thereafter.


RESULTS
The patients with metastatic gastric carcinoma had a median survival of 4.8 months. There was a 22% objective response rate, including a 4.9% complete response rate and a 17.1% partial response rate. Among the 31 patients with pancreatic carcinoma, there was a median survival of 5.7 months. No patients in this group showed a response.


CONCLUSIONS
The response rate for patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma was modest and this regimen may provide temporary palliation for some patients. However, 5-FU and LV treatment is ineffective against metastatic pancreatic carcinoma.
Rubin
J
J
Mayo Clinic, Department of Oncoloty, Rochester MN 55905, USA.
Gallagher
J G
JG
Schroeder
G
G
Schutt
A J
AJ
Dalton
R J
RJ
Kugler
J W
JW
Morton
R F
RF
Mailliard
J A
JA
Burch
P A
PA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality
D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil