HIGH-DOSE CHEMOTHERAPY WITH BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION FOR ADVANCED COLORECTAL-CANCER - REPORT ON TOXICITY

A chemotherapy regimen based on high doses of BCNU and mitomycin C wit h autologous bone marrow transplantation was used in 18 patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. Haematological toxicity was manageable, with a short nadir for white blood cells and platelets. The response rate was 33%, with a prevalence in peritoneal lesions compared to live r or lung metastases. Extra-haematological toxicity appeared in 16% of cases: a case of veno-occlusive disease of the liver and two cases of lung impairment are discussed. Although the response rate obtained wi th the regimen was satisfactory, the more extensive use of high-dose c hemotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation require s the identification of less toxic protocols.