Epirubicin, cisplatin and continuous-infusion 5-fluorouracil (ECF regimen) in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.
Thirty-one patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with a regimen of epirubicin, cisplatin and continuous-infusion (c.i.) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (ECF regimen). Twenty-seven patients were evaluable for response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In this study, the ECF chemotherapy yielded a 51% RR with a PFS of more than 8 months, an OS of more than 11 months and tolerable toxicity. In spite of the perplexity concerning the use of anthracyclines in colorectal cancer, the ECF regimen seems to be a possible treatment even for this malignancy. Controlled studies with ECF versus standard treatments and versus 5-FU alone in c.i. are necessary.
Gargano
L
L
Oncology Unit, Clinical Medicine Department, University La Sapienza, I-00197 Rome, Italy.
Menichetti
E T
ET
Marcellini
M
M
Seminara
P
P
Caporale
A
A
Konstantatoy
E
E
Masciangelo
R
R
Franchi
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015251:Epirubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil