[Clinical effect of UFT on prostatic cancer]

A phase II study of UFT, a mixture of futraful and uracil in a rate of 1:4, was performed for prostatic cancer in 5 cooperative institutions. UFT was orally administered at a daily dose of 600 mg (t.i.d.) for 4 weeks. Twenty-two patients treated with UFT were evaluated according to Koyama-Saito's criteria. Tumor staging determined by transrectal ultrasonography and other methods revealed stage B in 4 patients, stage C in 7, and stage D in 11. The overall response rate was 18.2%. Complete response was obtained in 1 patient with stage B disease, partial response in 3, minor response in 1, no change in 15, and progressive disease in 2. With respect to toxicity, anorexia was observed in 9 patients, nausea and vomiting in 8, stomatitis in 4, and diarrhea in 3. White blood cell count was less than 3,000 cells per mm3 in 1 patient, and in another case, hepatic function disorder was observed. From the results obtained, the use of UFT is TS considered desirable for prostatic cancer.