Alternating XELFOX and XELFIRI in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the antitumor activity and toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (FU)/leucovorin (LV) and capecitabine (C) given with either oxaliplatin (OX) or camptothecin (CPT-11) in the treatment of chemotherapy naive patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.


METHODS
The outpatient treatment, consisted of 2 consecutive days of LV, 200 mg/m(2), 5-FU 400 mg/m(2), and C 2000 mg/m(2) that, in one cycle, was preceded by 2 days of OX 50 mg/m(2), and, in the subsequent cycle, by CPT-11, 90 mg/m(2).


RESULTS
All 54 patients were assessable for toxicity and response. Thirty-two patients responded, giving an overall response rate of 59.3%. Median progression-free survival was 12.3 months and median survival was 20.5 months. Toxicity included grade 3 to 4 neutropenia in 43% of patients, grade 3 diarrhea in 7% of patients, and grade 2 neurotoxicity in 6% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The alternating, bimonthly schedule of OX and CPT-11 plus 5-FU/LV/C has substantial antitumor activity and is well tolerated.
Recchia
Francesco
F
Ospedale Civile di Avezzano, Unità Operativa di Oncologia, Rome, Italy. frecchia1946@libero.it
Candeloro
Giampiero
G
Necozione
Stefano
S
Bratta
Massimo
M
Bisegna
Roberta
R
Rea
Silvio
S
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069287:Capecitabine; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin