The role of UFT and the combination of UFT/leucovorin in non-small cell lung cancer.
Although 5-FU administered as a single agent in different intravenous bolus schedules has been shown to have minimal activity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), several lines of experimental evidence suggest that 5-FU in combination regimens may be synergistic with the 'anchor' drug of the combination. Moreover, the recent availability of oral formulations of 5-FU together 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. Orzel [UFT (uracil:tegafur) plus oral leucovorin] is the first oral DPD-inhibitory fluoropyrimidine. Orzel administered daily achieves similar concentrations of 5-FU obtained with continuous-infusion 5-FU. This paper reviews the clinical experience with UFT and Orzel in the treatment of NSCLC.
Langer
C J
CJ
Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 7701 Burholme Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-2412, USA. cj_langer@fccc.edu
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005641:Tegafur / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014498:Uracil / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C096910:UFT(R) drug; D005641:Tegafur; D014498:Uracil; D002955:Leucovorin