DOXIFLURIDINE - AN ACTIVE AGENT IN ADVANCED GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER

Background: The results of the use of chemotherapy in patients with ad vanced gastrointestinal malignancies have been disappointing. Complete responses are rare, and even partial responses are generally few with no benefit on survival. Since its introduction in clinical trials mor e than 30 years ago, fluorouracil has remained the most effective sing le agent in the treatment of these diseases. Doxifluridine is a new fl uoropyrimidine derivative, that is converted into fluorouracil, its ac tive component. Experimental data confirm cytotoxic selectivity for hu man tumor cells. Methods: Three trials have been conducted at the Isti tuto Nazionale Tumori of Milan, to evaluate the tolerability and effic acy of doxifluridine administered endovenously or orally in patients a ffected by different gastrointestinal neoplasms. The data will be disc ussed. Conclusions: Our results indicate that doxifluridine may be sup erior to fluorouracil, the biochemical modulator as folinic acid seems to enhance its activity in colorectal patients. The oral schedule is feasible for home treatment.