Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of oxaliplatin in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who previously treated with 5-FU-based chemotherapy.
Materials and methods: Between April 1999 and January 2001, thirty-two patients were enrolled in this study. Oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 was given intravenously (IV) on day 1 as was 5-FU 500 mg/m2 IV followed by continuous infusion of 5-FU 3,000 mg/m2 and LV 100 mg/m2 for 48 hours administered every 3 weeks. Six patients had received 5-FU as an adjuvant setting and 26 patients as a palliative regimen.
Results: The median age of the patients was 50 years (range; 19-69) and the dominant sites of metastasis were the liver, lung or both in 9, 5 and 2 patients respectively. In 30 evaluable patients, the overall response rate was 27% including 1 complete response and 7 partial responses. The median response duration was 28 weeks (95% confidence interval; 22~34 weeks) and the median progression free survival of all patients was 24 weeks (95% confidence interval; 15~33 weeks). A median 5 cycles (range; 2~9) and total 155 cycles were performed in 32 patients. 150 cycles were evaluable for toxicity. The most common hematologic toxicity was grade 1~2 anemia in 78 cycles (52%). Leukopenia (39%) and thrombocytopenia (23%) were fully reversible. The most common non-hematologic toxicity was nausea/vomiting (43/30%) followed by diarrhea (23%), hepatotoxicity (21%) and neurotoxicity (21%). One patient ceased therapy due to grade 4 diarrhea. No other severe toxicity interrupted this treatment.
Conclusion: Oxaliplatin, 5-FU and LV in combination showed significant activity in previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer with favorable toxicity.
Keywords: 5-Fluorouracil; Colorectal neoplasm; Combination chemotherapy; Oxaliplatin.