title: First-line chemotherapy with fluorouracil and folinic acid for advanced colorectal cancer in elderly patients: a phase II study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the elderly. Information on tolerability and efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil-based chemotherapy in such patients is limited. Primary aim of the study was to describe tolerability and activity of chemotherapy with the "de Gramont" schedule (FU bolus [400 mg/m ] + FU continuous infusion [600 mg/m ] + folinic acid [100 mg/m ] on days 1 and 2, every 2 weeks), in patients with advanced colorectal cancer aged 70 or older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients aged 70 or more, with stage IV colorectal cancer, ECOG performance status not worse than 2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four patients were treated at two participating centers. Seven (20.6%, 95% exact CI = 8.7-37.9) had an objective response, complete in 3 and partial in 4 patients. Five cases of unacceptable toxicity were registered (2 cardiac, 1 each for liver, anemia and diarrhea). Fitting the statistical model to the observed data indicated that the treatment was sufficiently active and tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The de Gramont scheme is active and tolerated in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Clinical Trial Office, National Cancer Institute of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Daniele
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rosati
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tambaro
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ottaiano
authors.forename: Ermelinda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Maio
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pignata
authors.forename: Rosario Vincenzo
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Iaffaioli
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manzione
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perrone
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil