title: Irinotecan (CPT11) plus high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) as salvage therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) after failed oxaliplatin plus 5-FU and LV: a pilot study in Taiwan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Irinotecan (CPT11) has established activity against advanced colorectal cancer without cross-resistance with 5-fluorouracil + leucovorin-based therapy. We conducted this pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of combination treatment with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for patients in whom combination treatment with oxaliplatin with 5-FU + leucovorin has failed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were enrolled in this study after oxaliplatin treatment had failed. The treatment protocol consisted of CPT11 (180 mg/m(2) for 90 min) on day 1 and a 2 h infusion of 200 mg/m(2) leucovorin followed by 400 mg/m(2) 5-FU as an intravenous bolus injection plus a 22 h continuous infusion of 600 mg/m(2) 5-FU. This regimen was repeated for two consecutive days every 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 18 patients were eligible for this study and in total 144 cycles of therapy (median eight cycles) were given to these patients. Four patients (22.2%; 95% CI: 8-36.4%) achieved an objective response of partial remission (PR) and an additional seven obtained stable disease (SD) status or minor response. The median duration of response was 8 months and 14 patients were alive at the end of the study. Hematological toxicity (neutropenia) was the most common serious side effect (29.2%), followed by gastrointestinal effects (diarrhea, 28.5%). Grade II-III diarrhea was experienced for at least one cycle by each patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of treatment for patients after oxaliplatin failure are encouraging and this treatment protocol is also well tolerated by previously heavily treated patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201 Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, Pei-tou, 112 Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Jeng
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.forename: Jin-Hwang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wei-Shon
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jen-Kou
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Wei-Shu
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chueh-Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Tzeon-Jye
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chiou
authors.forename: Po-Min
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014840:Vomiting, Anticipatory / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin