[Survival and changes of clinical laboratory data in phase II study with 5'-DFUR]

With patients registered in a Phase II study of 5'-DFUR, we analyzed the results of survival and laboratory findings. The 50% survival days in patients with gastric cancer included: 371 days in all evaluable patients; 912 days in patients of CR+PR; 484 days in MR+NC; and 158 days in PD. On the other hand, those in patients with colorectal cancer were: 467 days in all evaluable patients; 1,308 days (66.7% survival) in CR+PR; 586 days in MR+NC; and 276 days in PD. The figures in patients with breast cancer were: 1,761 days (58.5% survival) in all evaluable patients; 1,761 days (82.1% survival) in CR+PR; 878 days in MR+NC; and 546 days in PD. These 50% survivals were markedly longer than for other anti-cancer drugs given singly or in combination, although response rates with other drugs were higher than with 5'-DFUR. Laboratory findings in patients with gastric and colorectal cancers given 5'-DFUR disclosed many cases with improved levels of blood cells and liver function. There was a correlation between improved laboratory findings and survival. Furthermore, in animal experiments 5'-DFUR improves cancer cachexia. This is thought to be related to the improved survival and laboratory findings. We concluded that the prolonged survival observed in our study was related to reduction in cancer cachexia and improved laboratory findings.