PURPOSE:
Oxaliplatin,
Irinotecan,
5-fluorouracil and
leucovorin are commonly used to treat advanced
colorectal cancer in Western countries. Here, we investigated the efficacy and safety of
FOLFOX/
FOLFIRI in Japanese
colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: FOLFOX4, modified FOLFOX6 and
FOLFIRI was administered to a total of 23 patients with far advanced or recurrent
colorectal cancer in our institute.
Tumor response rate and
toxicity were analyzed with these patients. RESULTS: Partial response and stable disease was observed in 28.6% of patients, respectively. There was no therapy-related death.
Neutropenia was observed in 12 cases (52.2%),
anemia was in 12 cases (52.2%) and
thrombocytopenia was in 6 cases (26.1%), respectively; among them, 9 patients (39.1%) experienced a Grade 3 of
bone marrow suppression. Fatigue was observed in 8 cases (34.8%), nausea/
vomiting was in 4 cases (17.4%),
diarrhea was in 4 cases (17.4%) and
neurotoxicity was in 8 cases (34.8%), respectively. All nonhematological toxicities were Grade 1 or 2. CONCLUSION:
FOLFOX/
FOLFIRI can contribute to efficacy and safety in cases of advanced
colorectal cancer. In order to evaluate the long-term clinical results in Japanese patients, prospective controlled studies are urgently called for.
