5-FU or UFT combined with leucovorin for previously untreated metastatic colorectal Ca

This phase III study compares leucovorin plus fluorouracil (5-FU) 425 mg/m2, days 1 through 5, 28-day cycle, with oral leucovorin plus oral UFT (tegafur and uracil) 300 mg/m2, days 1 through 28, 35-day cycle, in terms of efficacy, safety, quality of life, and pharmacoeconomics. Eligible patients have not been treated previously and have measurable or evaluable metastatic colorectal cancer, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or less, and adequate bone marrow, liver, and renal functions. Patients are evaluated for response clinically and by computed tomography. Responses are determined by World Health Organization criteria. The study is nearing completion, with no toxicity issues requiring protocol modification. The results of this study could lead to a change to oral therapy as the standard of care for metastatic colorectal cancer, providing the efficacy and toxicity of UFT/leucovorin are at least equivalent due to the ease of administration and patient preference for oral regimens.