Adjuvant therapy with raltitrexed in patients with colorectal cancer intolerant of 5-fluorouracil: British Columbia Cancer Agency experience

Cancer Invest. 2007 Dec;25(8):711-4. doi: 10.1080/07357900701518388.

Abstract

Background: Severe 5-FU toxicity in adjuvant therapy of colorectal cancer may require change of therapy. We retrospectively explored the safety and efficacy of adjuvant raltitrexed in patients intolerant of 5-FU.

Methods: Over a 5 year period, patients who received 5-FU and subsequent raltitrexed therapy were identified.

Results: There were 44 patients, (39 stage III). Median number of prior 5-FU cycles was 2. Three year relapse free and overall survival proportions for stage III patients were 70.8% and 83.6%, respectively.

Conclusions: Raltitrexed adjuvant therapy can be given safely and effectively in patients where further 5-FU is contraindicated.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quinazolines / adverse effects
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thiophenes / adverse effects
  • Thiophenes / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Quinazolines
  • Thiophenes
  • raltitrexed
  • Fluorouracil