title: Preoperative UFT and calcium folinate and radiotherapy in rectal cancer.
abstract: Protracted infusions of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combined with pelvic radiotherapy have been associated with improved survival and decreased local and distant metastases in the adjuvant therapy of rectal cancer. However, this method of 5-FU infusion requires the inconvenience and expense of central venous line placement and care, infusion pumps, and treatment of catheter-related complications. We previously demonstrated that a completely oral therapy with UFT (uracil plus tegafur in a 4:1 molar ratio) plus oral calcium folinate (Orzel) can achieve pharmacokinetic parameters similar to those associated with protracted 5-FU infusions. This trial examines the feasibility of using UFT plus oral calcium folinate both during preoperative pelvic radiation and postoperatively, and shows that patients can be treated safely and effectively with a completely oral chemotherapy program combining UFT plus oral calcium folinate with pelvic radiation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicine, University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hoff
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lassere
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pazdur
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Janjan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skibber
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005641:Tegafur / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014498:Uracil / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005641:Tegafur; D014498:Uracil; D002955:Leucovorin