Combination chemotherapy in advanced gastrointestinal malignancy

Abstract

This study compares two combinations of drugs with proven activity in gastrointestinal malignancy. The drugs utilized are 5-fluorouracil (5FU), mitomycin C (Mito C), and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (MeCCNU). All 57 patients received 5FU 25 mg/kg as a 24-hour infusion for 5 days every 4 weeks. One group received Mito C 20 mg/m2 IV bolus every 8 weeks. The second group received MeCCNU 150 mg/m2 orally every 8 weeks. These combinations are tolerable, and the toxicities are acceptable. The response to 5FU/Mito C is more efficacious at 47% than 5FU/MeCCNU at 25% in the treatment of evaluable patients with colorectal malignancy.