Treatment of elderly advanced gastric cancer patients with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin combination

J Chemother. 1992 Jun;4(3):185-8. doi: 10.1080/1120009x.1992.11739162.

Abstract

In September 1987 a phase II study was begun to verify if elderly symptomatic patients affected by advanced gastric cancer could benefit from a combination of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and leucovorin (LV). We employed Machover's regimen: 5FU 370 mg/m2 i.v. infusion daily for 5 days; LV 200 mg/m2 i.v. bolus daily for 5 days; cycles were repeated every 3 weeks. 23 patients entered the study and 22 were evaluable for response and toxicity. We obtained only one partial response; 9 had stable disease and 12 progressed on therapy. The median duration of survival was 6 months. Symptoms were not affected by treatment. These data reflect the absence of significant improvement in the quality of life, which was further lessened by the presence of treatment side effects. Because of this we think that this regimen cannot be recommended for the treatment of elderly advanced gastric cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Aged
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage
  • Leucovorin / adverse effects
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil

Supplementary concepts

  • Fu-CF protocol