ORAL ETOPOSIDE AS 2ND-LINE CHEMOTHERAPY FOR COLORECTAL-CANCER - A GISCAD STUDY

Twenty-one patients with advanced colorectal cancer, all previously pr etreated with a fluoropyrimidine-based regimen, received oral etoposid e: 100 mg/die for 21 consecutive days, every three weeks, No objective response was achieved; 6 pts had a short-lasting stabilization of the ir disease. Toxicity was substantial and mainly represented by myelosu ppression and alopecia. Protracted administration of etoposide is inac tive as second-line treatment of colorectal cancer.