EPIRUBICIN, CISPLATIN AND INFUSIONAL 5-FLUOROURACIL (5-FU) (ECF) IN HEPATOBILIARY TUMORS

Hepatobiliary tumours are rare, often present late and have a poor pro gnosis, with no current effective systemic therapy available. This stu dy aimed to evaluate the activity and toxicity of epirubicin, cisplati n and continuous infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (ECF) in patients wi th these tumours. From March 1991 to November 1993, 25 patients with a dvanced biliary tumours and 7 with hepatoma were treated with epirubic in 50 mg/m(2) and cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) intravenously (i.v.) day 1, eac h given every 21 days and 5-FU 200 mg/m(2)/day given as a continuous 2 4 h i.v. infusion throughout the treatment course. 8 of the 20 (40%) e valuable patients with biliary tumours responded. Median duration of r esponse was 10 months. 2 of the 7 (29%) patients with hepatoma respond ed. The regimen was well tolerated with minimal haematological and non -haematological toxicity. This novel regimen is active in advanced hep atobiliary tumours.