Pharmacokinetically guided algorithm of 5-fluorouracil dosing, a reliable strategy of precision chemotherapy for solid tumors: a meta-analysis

Sci Rep. 2016 May 27:6:25913. doi: 10.1038/srep25913.

Abstract

Precision medicine characterizes a new era of cancer care and provides each patient with the right drug at the right dose and time. However, the practice of precision dosing is hampered by a lack of smart dosing algorithms. A pharmacokinetically guided (PKG) dosing algorithm is considered to be the leading strategy for precision chemotherapy, although the effects of PKG dosing are not completely confirmed. Hence, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of the PKG algorithm of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) dosing on patients with solid tumors. A comprehensive retrieval was performed to identify all of the prospective controlled studies that compared the body surface area (BSA)-based algorithm with the PKG algorithm of 5-FU in patients with solid tumors. Overall, four studies with 504 patients were included. The PKG algorithm significantly improved the objective response rate of 5-FU-based chemotherapy compared with the BSA-based algorithm. Furthermore, PKG dosing markedly decreased the risk of total grade 3/4 adverse drug reactions, especially those related to hematological toxicity. Overall, the PKG algorithm may serve as a reliable strategy for individualized dosing of 5-FU.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage*
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / pharmacokinetics*
  • Body Surface Area
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Dosage Calculations
  • Drug Monitoring
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage*
  • Fluorouracil / pharmacokinetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Precision Medicine
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Fluorouracil