title: Raltitrexed (Tomudex): an alternative drug for patients with colorectal cancer and 5-fluorouracil associated cardiotoxicity.
abstract: Two patients with proven 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-associated cardiotoxicity were treated with the specific thymidylate synthase inhibitor raltitrexed safely, without evidence of cardiotoxicity. Raltitrexed might be an alternative for patients with advanced colorectal cancer and 5-FU-associated cardiotoxicity. 5-FU cardiotoxicity is not due to the antineoplastic mechanisms via thymidilate synthase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology/Oncology and Tumor Immunology Robert-Rössle-Klinik, Virchow-Klinikum, Medizinische Fakultät Charite der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Köhne
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thuss-Patience
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kretzschmar
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Benter
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dörken
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D011799:Quinazolines; D013876:Thiophenes; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase; C068874:raltitrexed; D005472:Fluorouracil