title: 5-Fluorouracil continuous infusion in metastatic colorectal cancer.
abstract: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) remains the most active therapeutic agent in advanced colorectal cancer. This drug has demonstrated differing levels of activity dependent on the schedule of administration in experimental and clinical models. Twenty-six patients were treated with prolonged continuous infusion of 5-FU at 250 mg/m2/day via a portable infusion pump and Hickman's central venous catheter in this study. Twelve patients (46%) experienced a major response (complete response-1, partial response-11). Median duration of response was 5 months. Seventeen patients were chemotherapy-naive on accrual to this study. Ten patients from this group had partial responses (59%) and four were minor responders (24%). Hence 82% of patients who had no prior chemotherapy showed tumour responses to 5-FU continuous infusion. Two of nine patients (22%) with prior chemotherapy achieved major response. Favourable toxicity profile was noted with this regimen. Two patients discontinued therapy due to treatment-related toxicities (severe palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia and superior vena cava thrombosis secondary to the central venous catheter). Prolonged continuous infusion of 5-FU could well be the standard treatment of advanced colorectal cancer in view of its favourable activity and toxicity profile. The serial serum carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) trend was shown to correlate well to the objective response; a decline of more than 50% from baseline CEA level correlated with a major response and a rise of more than 50% correlated with progressive disease. Hence the use of serum CEA is suitable for monitoring response to chemotherapy which is advantageous with respect to patient convenience and cost-effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Ang
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D005472:Fluorouracil