Intermittent continuous infusion of fluorouracil, low-dose oral leucovorin and oral etoposide in advanced gastric cancer

  • Authors:
    • M Colleoni
    • G Vicario
    • C Graiff
    • P Nelli
    • G Sgarbossa
    • F Pancheri
    • P Manente
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 1, 1996     https://doi.org/10.3892/or.3.6.1169
  • Pages: 1169-1172
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Abstract

Gastric carcinoma is considered moderately chemosensitive, but a 'standard' chemotherapy regimen has not yet been found. Encouraging results in terms of activity and tolerability have been reported with a combination of i.v. leucovorin, fluorouracil and etoposide. However, etoposide and fluorouracil have demonstrated a schedule-dependency with high activity for the former when administered orally and for the latter when administered as a continuous infusion. In order to improve clinical results, we tested the activity and feasibility of the following combination: oral L-leucovorin, 5 mg/m(2) days 1-14; oral etoposide, 50 mg/m(2) days 1-14; fluorouracil, 200 mg/m(2)/day by continuous infusion days 1-14; cycles repeated every 28 days. A total of 26 patients [male/ female, 17/9; median age, 65 years (range, 42-75); performance status, 0-2] have been enrolled and are evaluable for response and side effects. A total of 78 cycles has been delivered (median/patient, 3 cycles). Two complete remissions (8%), 11 partial remissions (42%), 4 stabilizations of disease, and 9 progressions have been observed, for an overall response rate of 50% (95% confidence interval 30-70%). Median time to disease progression was 4.5 months and median survival 9.5 months. No toxic death or grade III-IV toxicity has been observed. Mild or moderate side effects included mucositis (42%), nausea/vomiting (19%) and leukopenia (8%). In conclusion, our results indicate that the schedule is safe, well tolerated and highly effective in advanced gastric cancer.

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November 1996
Volume 3 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

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Spandidos Publications style
Colleoni M, Vicario G, Graiff C, Nelli P, Sgarbossa G, Pancheri F and Manente P: Intermittent continuous infusion of fluorouracil, low-dose oral leucovorin and oral etoposide in advanced gastric cancer. Oncol Rep 3: 1169-1172, 1996.
APA
Colleoni, M., Vicario, G., Graiff, C., Nelli, P., Sgarbossa, G., Pancheri, F., & Manente, P. (1996). Intermittent continuous infusion of fluorouracil, low-dose oral leucovorin and oral etoposide in advanced gastric cancer. Oncology Reports, 3, 1169-1172. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.3.6.1169
MLA
Colleoni, M., Vicario, G., Graiff, C., Nelli, P., Sgarbossa, G., Pancheri, F., Manente, P."Intermittent continuous infusion of fluorouracil, low-dose oral leucovorin and oral etoposide in advanced gastric cancer". Oncology Reports 3.6 (1996): 1169-1172.
Chicago
Colleoni, M., Vicario, G., Graiff, C., Nelli, P., Sgarbossa, G., Pancheri, F., Manente, P."Intermittent continuous infusion of fluorouracil, low-dose oral leucovorin and oral etoposide in advanced gastric cancer". Oncology Reports 3, no. 6 (1996): 1169-1172. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.3.6.1169