5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is currently used as a chemotherapy in several cancers such as head-and-neck (H&N) and colorectal cancers. 5-FU dosing is traditionally based on body surface area (BSA), but this strategy is usually associated with severe toxicities. 5-FU is mainly catabolized by dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), and 5-FU dosage adaptation according to DPD status at the first cycle of treatment is now recommended. To further optimize 5-FU-based chemotherapy, a body of evidences justifies therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Areas covered: 5-FU pharmacokinetics, relationships between pharmacokinetics and efficacy or toxicity of 5-FU, proofs of interest of 5-FU TDM and its practical considerations are discussed. Expert opinion: BSA-adjusted 5-FU administration is associated with a large inter-individual variability, and according to this strategy, many patients experience under- or overexposure. Moreover, relationships between 5-FU area under the curve (AUC) and its toxicity or efficacy have been demonstrated, at least in patients with colorectal or H&N cancers. 5-FU therapeutic index has been validated and algorithms of 5-FU dosage adaptation according to its AUC are now available. Advances in pre-analytical and analytical steps of 5-FU TDM make its use feasible in clinical practice. Thus, there are consistent evidences to recommend 5-FU TDM in patients with advanced colorectal or H&N cancers.
Keywords: 5-fluorouracil; colorectal cancer; head and neck (H&N) cancer; pharmacokinetics; therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM).