title: Activity and toxicity of oxaliplatin plus raltitrexed in 5-fluorouracil refractory metastatic colorectal adeno-carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluated the antitumor efficacy and safety of a novel oxaliplatin/raltitrexed combination in pretreated advanced colorectal cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients with 5-fluorouracil-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer received raltitrexed 3.0 mg/m2 as a 15-minute intravenous (i.v.) infusion, followed 45 min later by l-OHP 130 mg/m2 i.v. as 2-h venous infusion on 1 day every 3 weeks. All patients had histologically proven metastatic colorectal cancer, age 18-75, measurable disease and normal baseline biological values. Most patients (60%) had >2 disease sites. All patients were assessed for safety and also for response according to an intent-to-treat fashion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall response rate was 29% (95% CL 16%-44%) including one CR (2%) and 12 PR (27%). Six patients (16%) showed a stabilization of disease for a tumor growth control rate of 45%. The median time to progression was 4 months (range 1-12+) and median overall survival was 9 months (range 1-29+).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data confirm that this oxaliplatin/raltitrexed combination is effective against metastatic colorectal carcinoma, well tolerated with low grade toxicity and easy to administer. Further evaluation of this regimen seems warranted as an alternative to fluoropyrimidine-based combinations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Oncological Hospital M. Ascoli, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laudani
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gebbia
authors.forename: Vita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Savio
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Borsellino
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Cusimano
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calabria
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stefano
authors.forename: Biagio
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Agostara
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D011799:Quinazolines; D013876:Thiophenes; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; C068874:raltitrexed; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil