Phase II evaluation of ftorafur in previously untreated colorectal cancer: a Southwest Oncology Group Study

Eighty-four previously untreated patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the large intestine received intravenous ftorafur at a dosage of 2.25 g/m2/day for 5 consecutive days. Courses were repeated every three weeks. Regressions were noted in 9 of 84 treated patients (11%). Median survival for all patients was 32 weeks. Responders survived only 5 weeks longer than nonresponders; 36 vs. 31 weeks. Central nervous system toxicity was a limiting factor occurring in one-third of patients. Ftorafur in a daily X5 schedule appears not to make a significant contribution to the management of disseminated colorectal cancer.