title: Irinotecan (CPT-11) in patients with advanced colon carcinoma relapsing after 5-fluorouracil-leucovorin combination.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between performance status (PS) and mean dose of irinotecan (CPT-11) in patients with recurrent advanced colorectal cancer relapsing after 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin chemotherapy. Patients who had completed their last chemotherapy course with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for at least 6 weeks and progressed were included. Based on PS, we administered a starting dose of 250 mg/m(2) in patients with a PS 70-80 (group A), and 350 mg/m(2) for those with a PS > 80 (group B). Of a total of 90 treated patients, all were evaluable, 18 had a partial response (PR) (20%), 39 stable disease (43%), and 15 progressed (37%). No significant difference was noticed between patients with PS > or = 90 or < or = 80 (p = 0.925), or between those who received a mean dose of CPT-11 > or = 300 or < or = 300 (p = 0.602), for response, survival and time to progression. Toxicity was increased in group B as expected, with significant differences for acute cholinergic syndrome (p = 0.02), diarrhea after the first 24 h (p = 0.03) and severe diarrhea (p = 0.03). According to these results, we conclude that response to CPT-11 is independent of its dose, and that a dose of 250 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks might be a cost-effective and less toxic alternative in this setting. However, further adequately powered phase II or III randomized studies might be required in order to confirm this observation.
authors: Department of Pathophysiology, Oncology Unit, Laikon General Hospital, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece. tsavari1@otenet.gr
authors: N B
authors: NB
authors: Tsavaris
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Polyzos
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Gennatas
authors: Ch
authors: Ch
authors: Kosmas
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Vadiaka
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Dimitrakopoulos
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Macheras
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Papastratis
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Tsipras
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Margaris
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Papalambros
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Giannopoulos
authors: Ch
authors: Ch
authors: Koufos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin