Tegafur and uracil plus leucovorin in advanced colorectal cancer: a phase II trial

Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2001 May;1(1):43-6. doi: 10.3816/ccc.2001.n.004.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of tegafur and uracil (UFT; 1:4 molar ratio) plus leucovorin (LV) in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. One hundred forty-one patients were entered into the study. The treatment schedule consisted of UFT 300 mg/m2/day (in three divided doses) plus oral LV 150 mg/day (50 mg t.i.d.) over 28 days. The treatment cycle was repeated every 5 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity was observed. The treatment was interrupted if grade 3/4 toxicity appeared and was resumed at the same dosage on recovery. One hundred thirty-six patients were evaluable for response and 141 were evaluable for toxicity. The response rate was 19.9% (95% confidence interval: 12%-28%). The total number of patients without progression (objective response + stable disease) was 76 (55.9%). The median time to progression was 5.6 months, and the overall survival was 11.6 months. The toxicity profile was low, with 11% of patients experiencing grade 3/4 nausea and vomiting, while 17% had grade 3/4 diarrhea. Oral administration of UFT modulated with LV is a comfortable regimen of chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tegafur / administration & dosage
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uracil / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Tegafur
  • Uracil
  • Leucovorin