CHEMOTHERAPY FOR COLORECTAL CANCER WITH 5-FLUOROURACIL, CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE, AND CCNU - COMPARISON OF ORAL AND CONTINUOUS IV ADMINISTRATION OF 5-FLUOROURACIL

Abstract

Adult patients (46) with colorectal cancer were treated with cyclophosphamide and CCNU [1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea] administered orally and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) administered either orally or by continuous i.v. infusion (FCC-CIF), depending on the availability of hospital beds. The overall response rate in 37 patients with measurable disease was 25%. The response was greater in patients who had had no prior treatment (7 of 20 vs. 2 of 17) and in patients treated with FCC-CIF (6 of 19 vs. 3 of 18). Among patients receiving FCC-CIF, response was also greater in those who had received no prior therapy (5 of 9 vs 1 of 10). The overall median survival was 7.5 mo., regardless of the route of administration of 5-FU. Further investigations are indicated to study the efficacy of 5-FU administered by continuous i.v. infusion in combination with other agents in patients who have had no prior treatment.