The combination of raltitrexed (Tomudex) and mitomycin-C in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer--a phase II study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the combination of raltitrexed and mitomycin-C as first-line chemotherapy treatment in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.


METHODS
A phase II study.


RESULTS
In total, 22 patients were treated with a combination of raltitrexed 3 mg/m2 every 3 weeks and mitomycin-C 7 mg/m2 every 6 weeks for up to 24 weeks. The study was closed early for safety reasons as there were three unexpected treatment-related deaths. The overall response rate was 20%, and a further 40% achieved stable disease. The median time to progression was 3.9 months and the median overall survival time was 11.6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Owing to the potential for increased toxicity, the combination of raltitrexed and mitomycin-C cannot be recommended as first-line treatment in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
Michels
J
J
Oncology Unit, Southampton General Hospital, UK.
Geldart
T
T
Darby
A
A
Craddock
L
L
Iveson
A
A
Richardson
L
L
Iveson
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011799:Quinazolines; D013876:Thiophenes; D016685:Mitomycin; C068874:raltitrexed