QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN COLORECTAL-CANCER PATIENTS TREATED WITH DOXORUBICIN AND A MULTIDRUG-RESISTANCE (MDR) MODULATOR (SDZ PSC-833) - A PILOT-STUDY

Introduction. Next to carcinoma of the bronchus, colorectal cancer (CR C) kills more people than any malignancy Among the efforts to improve the outcome are studies on multidrug resistance (MDR) modulators combi ned with doxorubicin. Material and methods: Between November 1996 and August 1997, 10 patients were included in a study employing the MDR-mo dulator SDZ PSC 833 (5 mg/kg qid 3d/3(rd) w) and adriamycin (35-45 mg/ m(2)/3(rd) w). Quality of life (QoL) was measured (EORTC QLQ-C30) at b aseline and every 3(rd) week until progression or patient refusal. Res ults. SDZ PSC 833 and doxorubicin worsened the global QoL from 68 to 4 6.6 (0-100 scale) during 6 weeks. There was no improvement in QoL from cycle I to 3. The physical, social, nausea/vomiting and dyspnoea subs cales were most affected. Mean performance status (WHO) was only sligh tly reduced. Conclusion. SDZ PSC 833 and doxorubicin did not improve Q oL and seemed more toxic than 5-FU containing regimens. If superior da ta on response and survival are revealed, a cost-utility analysis shou ld be performed.