[Toxic effects of prolonged oral administration of tegafur (FT-207)]

FT-207 capsules and enteric coated capsules were administered for the chemotherapy of various cancer patients. Twenty-three cases of cancer patients were treated with FT-207 alone orally more than 52 weeks up to 199 weeks continuously with daily dose of 600-800mg with capsules, and 600-1200mg with enteric coated capsules, except one case with markedly light body weight (28kg). There were 3 breast, 1 colon, 1 duodenal, 1 ovary, 11 stomach, 4 hepatic duct, 1 pancreas and 1 double cancer with colon and uterus. Special attention was given to the bone marrow, hepatic, renal, pulmonary and cardiac impairment. There was a mild hepatic enzyme derangement in some cases, but clinically not serious. No meaningful bone marrow, renal, pulmonary or cardiac side reactions were observed. This study confirmed that continuous prolonged oral FT-207 administration was well tolerated and no serious side reactions were observed. However, this was not a controlled study, so that it is still advisable to give oral FT-207 under periodic check up including CBC, SMA-12, chest X-ray and EKG controls.