EXPERIENCE OF ONCOPAZ COOPERATIVE GROUP WITH ORAL FLUOROPYRIMIDINES IN TUMORS OF THE STOMACH, LUNG, HEAD AND NECK, AND BREAST

The Oncopaz Cooperative Group designed a chemotherapy regimen to modul ate UFT(R) (Tegafur and Uracil) with leucovorin. The regimen consisted of a high intravenous dose of leucovorin. followed by oral UFT(R) and oral leucovorin twice daily for 14 days. Based on the promising resul ts obtained with this regimen in patients with advanced colorectal can cer, tie Oncopaz group performed several phase II trials using this co mbination with other drugs to treat advanced gastric, lung, head and n eck, and breast cancers. When combined with etoposide in gastric cance r, the regimen was shown to be active and well tolerated. However, whe n used with cisplatin to treat non-small cell lung cancer, a low respo nse rate and high toxicity precluded its recommendation for Further st udy. The addition of carboplatin in the treatment of head and neck can cer demonstrated moderate activity with low toxicity. In an ongoing tr ial of advanced breast cancer, preliminary results indicate that the c ombination of idarubicin, UFT(R). and leucovorin is active, with moder ate, primarily hematologic toxicity. Trials of new combinations are wa rranted to take advantage of the pharmacokinetic properties and oral b ioavailability of UFT(R) and leucovorin.