[Infusiontherapy with 5-fluorouracil ("infusional" 5-FU) in solid tumors].
BACKGROUND
5-FU is an important anticancer agent for many tumor entities. Because of the historical development of this compound it was predominantly administered as a bolus application, although it was well known that the antineoplastic activity of this antimetabolite is improved by prolonged administration schedules (protracted infusion ["infusional"] of 5-FU). Since port-a-cath systems and portable pumps became available, "infusional" 5-FU containing chemotherapies were intensively investigated in various tumors known to be susceptible to 5-FU.


METHODS
The largest experience with "infusional" 5-FU +/- folinic acid +/- other cytostatic drugs exists in gastrointestinal tumors. Meanwhile this way of 5-FU application is well established in the first- and second-line chemotherapy of metastatic colorectal and gastric cancer where it contributes to a clinically relevant improvement of the prognosis of these tumors. Other tumor entities where "infusional" 5-FU-based chemotherapies showed first positive results are i.e. breast cancer and esophageal cancers.
Wilke
H
H
Klinik für Innere Medizin I und Internistische Onkologie/Hämatologie, Kliniken Essen-Mitte.
Stahl
M
M
Köster
W
W
Vanhöfer
U
U
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil