AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF RAZOXANE WHEN USED AS AN ADJUNCT TO SURGERY IN COLORECTAL-CANCER - REPORT OF A CONTROLLED RANDOMIZED STUDY OF 603 PATIENTS

A prospective controlled randomised trial to evaluate the effectivenes s and safety of razoxane is reported. Some 603 patients with colo-rect al cancer having curative surgery entered the study, and all have been followed up for a minimum of five years. Statistical analysis showed that razoxane treatment had no effect either beneficial or adverse on the rates of recurrence or on five year survival of patients with colo -rectal cancer. It is possible that a more prolonged course of razoxan e might have significantly influenced survival. The incidence of sever e adverse reaction was low but it is of concern that one patient devel oped leukaemia. Should razoxane be considered for future use it is rec ommended that continuous low dose therapy be given for no longer than 12 months. No renal, hepatic, pulmonary or cardiac toxicity was noted.