title: Oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate in advanced colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A promising regimen including 5-Fluorouracil, methotrexate and oxaliplatin is reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with untreated measurable metastatic disease received bolus 5-Fluorouracil (600 mg/m2) on days 2 and 16, modulated by methotrexate (200 mg/m2) 24 h earlier, alternated with 4 weeks of continuous infusion of 5-Fluorouracil (200 mg/m2/daily) plus oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2) on days 29 and 56, followed by 2 weeks of rest. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was analyzed at baseline and before every cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-eight patients were enrolled. Objective remissions were reported in 45.6% (95% CI=34.3%, 57.3%). The median progression-free survival was 7.8 months and the median overall survival was 19.4 months. No grade 4 toxicity was reported, except for one case of diarrhea. The serum VEGF evaluated in 23 patients showed a decreasing trend during therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The regimen was active, well tolerated and may be a possible option in patients not suitable for radical surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, European Institute of Milan, 20141 Milan, Italy. maria.zampino@ieo.it
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Zampino
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lorizzo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Locatelli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zorzino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manzoni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzetta
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fazio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Biffi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Braud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate