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To determine the efficacy and tolerability of a modified chronomodulated infusion of oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.
Sixteen patients with relapsed or metastatic colorectal cancer were treated with an intravenous infusion of oxaliplatin 25 mg/m2, 5-FU 700 mg/m2 and leucovorin 20 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5. The infusion of oxaliplatin was chronomodulated with a peak delivery rate at 16:00 p.m., with 5-FU infused constantly overnight. Each course was repeated every 21 days.
The response rate was 38.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.9% to 68.4%) in the 13 measurable patients, including 1 complete response (7.7%) and 4 partial responses (30.8%). Five patients (38.5%) had a stable disease and 3 (23.0%) a progressive disease. Three patients without a measurable lesion had improved status. The median time to progression and overall survival were 29 weeks and 85 weeks, respectively. Grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred in 2.5% (2 cycles) and grade 3 vomiting in 12.5% (2 patients). Anorexia, stomatitis, diarrhea, pruritus, alopecia and peripheral neuropathy were mild and tolerable.
The modified chronomodulated infusion of oxaliplatin, 5-FU and leucovorin is effective and tolerable, but the number of patients was too small. Further study will be needed to confirm the efficacy of this regimen with a larger population of patients.
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