title: Effect of thalidomide on gastrointestinal toxic effects of irinotecan.
abstract: Irinotecan is the only accepted second-line treatment for colorectal cancer in the USA. Doses are, however, frequently limited by associated late-onset diarrhoea. Thalidomide has antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties and is being investigated as an antineoplastic. We did a pilot study of combination therapy with thalidomide and irinotecan for metastatic colorectal cancer. In an interim analysis of nine patients, thalidomide had almost eliminated the dose-limiting gastrointestinal toxic effects of irinotecan, especially diarrhoea and nausea (each p<0.0001), and eight of nine patients were able to complete the chemotherapy course.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Govindarajan
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Heaton
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Broadwater
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeitlin
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hauer-Jensen
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D004064:Digestive System / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D013792:Thalidomide; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002166:Camptothecin