title: Schedule-dependent activity of 5-fluorouracil and irinotecan combination in the treatment of human colorectal cancer: in vitro evidence and a phase I dose-escalating clinical trial.
abstract: Several schedules of 5-fluorouracil (FU) and irinotecan (IRI) have been shown to improve overall survival in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Preclinical evidence suggests that the sequential administration of IRI and FU produces synergistic activity, although their clinical use has not been fully optimised. We investigated the interaction between short-term exposure to SN-38, the active metabolite of IRI, and prolonged exposure to FU in human CRC HT-29 cells and observed that the synergism of action between the two agents can be increased by extending the time of cell exposure to FU and reducing the interval between administration of the two agents. Based on these findings, we performed a phase I trial in 25 advanced CRC patients using a modified IRI/FU regimen as first-line therapy and evaluated three dose levels of IRI (150-300 mg/m(2)) and two of continuous infusion of FU (800-1000 mg/m(2)) in a 3-weekly schedule. The most severe grade III-IV toxicities were neutropoenia in four cycles and diarrhoea in three. One patient achieved complete response (4%), 12 a partial response (48%), the overall response rate was 52% (+/-20, 95% CI); seven of 25 patients had stable disease (28%), the overall disease control was 80% (+/-16, 95% CI). This modified IRI/FU schedule is feasible and exhibits potentially interesting clinical activity.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Oncology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. carlobarone@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landriscina
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quirino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basso
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pozzo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schinzari
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Leonardo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: D'Argento
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Trigila
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cassano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000077146:Irinotecan; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin