A Phase II trial of continuous infusion cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil with oral calcium leucovorin in colorectal carcinoma

Twenty previously untreated patients with advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma were entered on a Phase II trial of 3-day continuous infusion cisplatin (25 mg/m²/day) and 5-fluorouracil (800 mg/M²/day) with oral calcium leucovorin (30 mg/dose) every 6 hours. There were four partial responses (20%) and two complete responses (10%) for a total response rate of 30% (95% confidence limits ±20%). Patients received a median of 4.5 cycles of therapy (range 2-9 cycles). Three patients experienced neutropenia; one had a life-threatening infection. One developed neuropathy at 375 mg/M² cumulative dose. Four patients developed mucositis. Treatment was stopped for one patient with stable disease after 5 cycles because of anorexia and nausea and vomiting; treatment was stopped for four patients because of excessive fatigue. The median duration of responses was 4 months (range 3-6 months). Although this regimen is active, the response rate, cumulative nature of the toxicity, and the requirement for hospitalization led us to conclude that this regimen does not warrant Phase III testing but might be a basis for further Phase II therapeutic trials.