UFT plus oral leucovorin calcium (Orzel) and radiation in combined modality therapy: a comprehensive review.
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has become the most commonly used drug in combination with radiation therapy. The recent availability of oral formulations of 5-FU in conjunction with the ability to modulate the anabolic and catabolic metabolism of 5-FU with leucovorin and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) inhibitors, respectively, may provide a substantial improvement in the ease of administration and the efficacy of fluoropyrimidine therapy. Several oral fluoropyrimidines are under investigation. UFT (uracil:tegafur) plus oral leucovorin (Orzel) is the first oral DPD-inhibitory fluoropyrimidine. With daily administration, Orzel achieves similar concentrations of 5-FU obtained with continuous-infusion 5-FU. This paper summarizes the therapeutic rationale for Orzel and reviews the clinical experience with UFT and UFT/LV in combined modality therapy regimens.
Minsky
B D
BD
Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. Minskyb@mskcc.org
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D042943:Dihydrouracil Dehydrogenase (NADP); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005641:Tegafur / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014498:Uracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
D005641:Tegafur; D014498:Uracil; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D042943:Dihydrouracil Dehydrogenase (NADP); D002955:Leucovorin