Combination chemotherapy with continuous 5-fluorouracil and low-dose cisplatin infusion for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
In this study we evaluated the efficacy and toxicities of combination chemotherapy consisting of continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion and low-dose cisplatin infusion (low-dose FP therapy) in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients with advanced HCC in whom local treatment was not indicated were enrolled. The low-dose FP therapy consisted of 5-FU (170 mg/m2/day on days 1 to 7/week, continuous infusion) and cisplatin (3 mg/m2/day in 100 ml normal saline, infusion more than 30 minutes, on days 1 to 5/weeks). The patients were treated for 4 consecutive weeks with a subsequent one-week rest period.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven of the 38 patients (97%) completed this therapy. A partial response was obtained in 18 (47%), no change in 10 and progressive disease in 9. The time to progression was 211 days. The most common toxicity was nausea/vomiting (13.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
Low-dose FP therapy has a substantial effect on low-grade toxicity in long-term treatment. Low-dose FP therapy is useful for the treatment of advanced HCC.
Tanioka
Hiroaki
H
Okayama University Medical School, 2-5-1 Okayamashi, Shikata-cho, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan. Tanioka@md.okayama-u
Tsuji
Akihito
A
Morita
Sojiro
S
Horimi
Tadashi
T
Takamatsu
Masahiro
M
Shirasaka
Tetsuhiko
T
Mizushima
Takaaki
T
Ochi
Koji
K
Kiura
Katsuyuki
K
Tanimoto
Mitsune
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil