Aims and background: Salvage treatment of advanced colorectal cancer patients has not been well defined as yet, and new potentially active drugs or combinations should be evaluated for these situations.
Methods: From February 1993 to September 1993, the combination of carboplatin (CBDCA) and etoposide (VP-16), both as 100 mg/m2 for three consecutive days, was administered to 17 colorectal cancer patients who had been previously subjected to FA-FU combination chemotherapy. The CBDCA + VP-16 treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. A total of 58 cycles was administered, and 16 patients were evaluable for response.
Results: There was no objective response, but 2 stable diseases and 14 progressive diseases were observed. Toxicity was mild, with no WHO 3-4 grade toxicity.
Conclusion: This combination chemotherapy was judged ineffective for pretreated colorectal cancer patients.