CONTINUOUS NON CHRONOMODULATED INFUSION OF FLOXURIDINE IN METASTATIC RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA (MRCC) - REPORT OF 17 CASES

Aims and background: MRCC responds poorly to usual treatments. Recentl y floxuridine (FUDR) has been administered by chronomodulated infusion , obtaining interesting results. In order to simplify the infusion, we used continuous non chronomodulated infusion. Methods: We treated 17 patients affected by MRCC with continuous non chronomodulated infusion of FUDR. Toxicity was evaluated according to WHO criteria. Responses were recorded as complete response (CR), partial response (PR) stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). Results: Sixty-four courses of therapy were administered; 15/17 patients, treated with a median o f 4 cycles, were evaluable for the response. Only 1 patient showed a g rade 3 toxicity (mucositis and diarrhoea); 6 patients showed grade 1-2 diarrhoea; 2 grade 1-2 nausea and vomiting; 1 grade 2 anaemia and thr ombocytopenia. No patient obtained CR; 2 PR (lasting 7 and 9 months re spectively) and 4 SD (lasting 4,5,6 and 9 months) were observed. Concl usions: In our experience continuous non chronomodulated infusion of F UDR did not show important general toxicity. The observed responses we re not good enough. We think that a better selection of patients (good performance status) and the use of FUDR in an earlier stage of diseas e, can obtain better results.