Role of oral chemotherapy in colorectal cancer.
Despite the long clinical history of 5-FU in gastrointestinal cancer, the development of oral agents has been a productive endeavor, and oral fluoropyrimidine agents are likely to play an important role in the management of colorectal cancer. Results of recent trials in advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer have shown equivalence of response rates, time to disease progression, and median survival and reduced rates of neutropenia and stomatitis with oral capecitabine (Xeloda) or UFT/leucovorin compared with standard fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin regimens. Evaluation of these oral agents in adjuvant therapy, in combination chemotherapy, and in combination with radiation therapy is ongoing.
Donehower
R C
RC
Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil