[Clinical evaluation of Ftorafur (author's transl)]

The new soviet antimetabolite Ftorafur (N1-2'-Furanidyl-5-Fluorouracil, FFU) has been clinically evaluated in 18 selected patients with various solid tumours. Several of them had been treated before with other drugs. FFU was given to 8 patients as a monotherapy whereas 10 patients received the drug in combination with other therapeutic measures. A total response rate of 9/18 was seen. Three out of 8 patients treated with FFU alone have responded objectively. Due to its low toxicity FFU became a clinically interesting drug which is suitable for long-lasting administration. Its therapeutic activity is similar to that of 5-Fluorouracil. FFU is especially effective in carcinomas of the breast and the gastro-intestinal tract. It can be applied locally or safely be combined with other drugs or with irradiation.