HEMATOTOXICITY OF 5-FLUOROURACIL-LEUCOVORIN IN A SETTING OF ADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY

Changes of granulocyte macrophage colony forming units (CFU-GM) were a ssessed in peripheral blood of patients treated with 5-Fluorouracil-Le ucovorin adjuvant chemotherapy after removal of colon cancer. The clin ical and hematological state of the patients was steady and as far nor mal as possible. Leucocyte counts did not show significant changes. Th e mean peripheral blood level of CFU-GM significantly decreased follow ing 5FU-LV infusion, reaching nadir by day 15. These changes of hemopo ietic progenitors, not detected by routine hematic cell counts, point to a perturbation of the granulopoietic system by the 5FU-LV associati on also at doses used in adjuvant chemotherapy.