title: Tegafur-uracil is a safe alternative for the treatment of colorectal cancer in patients with partial dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency: a proof of principle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of using tegafur-uracil (UFT) in colorectal cancer patients with partial dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included five colorectal cancer patients who presented with acute toxicity (grades 3 and 4) after being given the first cycle of chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil. The DPD deficiency was confirmed by gene sequencing. After a full recovery from all side effects, we changed the regimen to UFT (300 mg/m(2)/day) associated with leucovorin (90 mg/day) for 21 days, with an empirical dose reduction of at least 10% in the first cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We prospectively analysed 22 UFT cycles in 5 patients. We did not observe any episodes of grade 3 or 4 toxicity. The predominant toxicities were of grades 1 and 2 (nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Here, we demonstrate a complete absence of severe toxicity in all patients and cycles analysed. We believe that UFT is a safe alternative for the treatment of patients with partial DPD deficiency.
authors: Department of Oncology and Haematology, ABC Foundation School of Medicine, Av. Príncipe de Gales, n. 821, anexo 3, Santo André/SP, 09060-650, Brazil.
authors: Daniel I G
authors: DI
authors: Cubero
authors: Felipe Melo
authors: FM
authors: Cruz
authors: Patrícia
authors: P
authors: Santi
authors: Ismael Dale C G
authors: ID
authors: Silva
authors: Auro
authors: A
authors: Del Giglio