[New combination therapies for gastrointestinal cancer]

Recently, cisplation (CDDP) and CPT-11 have joined the other drugs used for gastrointestinal chemotherapy, and the combination of I-leucovorin (I-LV)/5-FU has become available for use in medical treatment in Japan. This enables doctors to make a variety of regimens for gastrointestinal cancers. In this paper, we explain the new combinations, especially LV/5-FU/platinum, CPT-11/CDDP, and LV/5-FU/CPT-11. The combination of 5-FU/LV/CPT-11 has shown a higher antitumor activity than 5-FU/LV alone, with increased progression free survival or time-to-treatment failure. This combination will be considered the new standard regimen for colorectal cancer. It is worthy of note that the combination of UFT/LV provided on equally effective but safe and more convenient oral alternative to the standard i.v. 5-FU/LV regimen for colorectal cancer.