Treatment for advanced colorectal cancer with high-dose levofolinate and 5-fluorouracil *
From August 2000 to August 2002, 14 patients with non-curative postoperative or recurrent colorectal carcinomas were treated with high-dose levofolinate (LV) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Treatment consisted of a course of intravenous injection of LV (200-250 mg/m2 ) for two hours and rapid intravenous injection of 5-FU (500-600 mg/m2 ). Treatment was given every week for six weeks (one cycle) followed by a two-week rest period. All patients underwent more than two courses. We assessed the response by measurement of a tumor marker (carcinoembryonic antigen : CEA). We also assessed time to progression (TTP). The most frequent adverse events were nausea/vomiting and diarrhea (50%) delayed pigmentation (25%) , and neutropenia (19%). Fourteen patients showed responses (four partial response (PR) , six were stable (NC) and four progressed (PD) ). The mean TTP was 6.2 months and the median time was six months. High- dose LV/5-FU therapy has few adverse events. Therefore, it is considered safe for outpatients. (Accepted on June 2 , 2003)
