Oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate in advanced colorectal cancer.
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.
Zampino
M G
MG
Division of Medical Oncology, European Institute of Milan, 20141 Milan, Italy. maria.zampino@ieo.it
Lorizzo
K
K
Rocca
A
A
Locatelli
M
M
Zorzino
L
L
Manzoni
S
S
Mazzetta
C
C
Fazio
N
N
Biffi
R
R
De Braud
F
F
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
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate