Gemcitabine combined with infusional 5-fluorouracil and high-dose leucovorin for the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the pancreas.
BACKGROUND
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and gemcitabine are the major active drugs in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with advanced pancreas cancer were treated with a new chemotherapy regimen consisting of infusional 5-FU and high-dose leucovorin with gemcitabine (GEMFUFOL).


RESULTS
A total of 200 cycles of chemotherapy were administered. The response rate was 27.3%, all responses being partial. The median survival time and 1-year survival rate were, respectively, 13 months and 60.4%. The toxicity was very low and severe hematological toxicity was exceptional.


CONCLUSIONS
The GEMFUFOL regimen can be an active regimen for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer and has a low toxicity.
Institute of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Dokuz Eylul, Izmir, Turkey. ilhan.oztop@deu.edu.tr
Ilhan
I
Oztop
Ugur
U
Yilmaz
Tugba
T
Yavuzsen
Arzu
A
Yaren
Oktay
O
Tarhan
Ozgul
O
Sagol
Ahmet
A
Coker
Mehmet
M
Alakavuklar
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D015996:Survival Rate; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D000093542:Gemcitabine