Gemcitabine combined with infusional 5-fluorouracil and high-dose leucovorin for the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the pancreas

Chemotherapy. 2004 Jun;50(3):127-32. doi: 10.1159/000077886.

Abstract

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and gemcitabine are the major active drugs in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with advanced pancreas cancer were treated with a new chemotherapy regimen consisting of infusional 5-FU and high-dose leucovorin with gemcitabine (GEMFUFOL).

Results: A total of 200 cycles of chemotherapy were administered. The response rate was 27.3%, all responses being partial. The median survival time and 1-year survival rate were, respectively, 13 months and 60.4%. The toxicity was very low and severe hematological toxicity was exceptional.

Conclusion: The GEMFUFOL regimen can be an active regimen for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer and has a low toxicity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality
  • Aged
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Deoxycytidine / administration & dosage
  • Deoxycytidine / adverse effects
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Deoxycytidine / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use*
  • Gemcitabine
  • Hematologic Diseases / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage
  • Leucovorin / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil
  • Gemcitabine