[Levofolinate and fluorouracil combination therapy].
Levofolinate and fluorouracil regimen (l-leucovorin and 5 fluorouracil regimen) is a biochemical modulation of 5 fluorouracil (5FU) by leucovorin (LV). In the USA and Europe d,l-LV and 5FU regimen is frequently administered for colorectal cancer treatment and recognized as the standard regimen. In Japan, multi-institutional clinical trials of l-leucovorin (l-LV), a bioactive diastereomer of leucovorin, and 5FU combination were conducted for the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal cancer with comparable results to the US/Europe data. This l-LV and 5FU regimen was approved in August 1999 for the indications of advanced gastric cancer and colorectal cancer. The dosage and administration is referred to the weekly method developed at RPMI. Recently, the irinotecan (CPT-11) or oxariplatin plus LV and 5FU combination showed higher antitumor activities than the LV and 5FU combination with increased progression-free survival. These regimens, however, are not yet properly established because clinical trial results with Japanese patients are not completed for agreement of the dosage and administration schedule. For the l-LV and 5FU regimen diarrhea and leukocytopenia, including grade 3 and higher, were reported as the major adverse events. Administration for eligible patients with periodical monitoring of diagnostic data is necessary.
Takeuchi
S
S
Nagoya Branch Oncology Group, Wyeth Lederle (Japan), 2-2-13 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya 460-0003, Japan. takeucs2@wai.wyeth.com
Murakami
M
M
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil