Chemotherapy with etoposide, doxorubicin, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the therapeutic index of combining etoposide, doxorubicin (adriamycin), cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and leucovorin (EAPFL) chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced HCC, a trial of a novel schedule of triweekly administration was conducted.


METHODS
Sixty-six patients with measurable advanced HCC, adequate liver and renal functions and adequate bone marrow reserves in whom local treatment was not indicated were studied. Triweekly EAPFL treatment consisted of a concomitant boost of etoposide 40 mg/m2 i.v. over 30 min on day 1, 2, and 3, doxorubicin 30 mg/m2 i.v. over 30 min on day 1 to a backbone regimen, triweekly PFL chemotherapy with cisplatin 60 mg/m2, 5-FU 1,200 mg/m2, and leucovorin 120 mg/m2 given simultaneously by a 72-h i.v. infusion. Response, survival, and toxicity were evaluated.


RESULTS
One patient had complete response (1%) and thirteen patients had partial response (20%). The objective response rate was 21% (95% confidence interval 11-31%). The median overall survival and median time to progression were 8.9 months and 3.3 months, respectively. Major treatment toxicities (grade 3-4) were neutropenia (28%), anemia (11%), thrombocytopenia (7%), hepatotoxicity (5%), vomiting (2%), and diarrhea (2%). There was no treatment-related death.


CONCLUSIONS
Triweekly EAPFL chemotherapy is a moderately effective regimen with tolerable toxicities in the treatment of advanced HCC.
Yuan
Jeng-Nian
JN
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Sec 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 11217, Taiwan.
Chao
Yee
Y
Lee
Wei-Ping
WP
Li
Chung-Pin
CP
Lee
Rheun-Chuan
RC
Chang
Full-Young
FY
Yen
Sang-Hue
SH
Lee
Shou-Dong
SD
Whang-Peng
Jacqueline
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil