[Chemotherapy protocol for metastasizing colorectal carcinoma. Methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil and cytarabine]

A new treatment protocol was developed for colorectal carcinomas consisting of sequential administration of methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil and cytarabine. The latter was included into the protocol in order to suppress the DNA salvage pathway of tumour cells. The sequential high-dosage combination was administered to 34 patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma, 23 patients had been pretreated with cytostatics. Remission could be achieved in 14 out of the 34 patients. Two patients with carcinoma of the rectum have complete clinical remission lasting for 7 months. Eight of the 14 patients responding to treatment had had cytostatic pretreatment. The median time of survival of patients in remission is 15 months, median survival of non-responders 4,3 months. Combination treatment was well tolerated. Leuko- and thrombocytopenia according to grade 3 and 4 of the WHO classification were only rarely observed.