Multimodal biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil by leucovorin, methotrexate, and interferon alpha in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 1996;38(4):385-6. doi: 10.1007/s002800050499.

Abstract

A total of 26 patients with advanced colorectal cancer received 60 mg/m2 methotrexate i.v. on days 1-4; 400 mg/m2 5-fluorouracil i.v. on days 2, 3, 5, and 6; and 100 mg/m2 6S-leucovorin i.v. on days 2, 3, 5, and 6. Interferon-alpha 2b at a dose of 3 million U was given i.m. daily for the 6 days of chemotherapy. Courses were repeated every 3 weeks. There were four partial responses for a response rate of 15% (95% confidence interval 2-28%): In all, 14 patients expressed grade 3 toxicity; 9 patients had diarrhea, 3 had stomatitis, and 2 developed leukopenia. In conclusion, multimodal biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil, at least on this schedule, does not seem to be effective, as it results in severe toxicity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage
  • Leucovorin / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Remission Induction

Substances

  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil
  • Methotrexate