Plasma concentrations of 5-fluorouracil and F-β-alanine following oral administration of S-1, a dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase inhibitory fluoropyrimidine, as compared with protracted venous infusion of 5-fluorouracil
2003

Comparing Oral S-1 and IV 5-Fluorouracil in Cancer Treatment

Sample size: 10 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Yamada Y, Hamaguchi T, Goto M, Muro K, Matsumura Y, Shimada Y, Shirao K, Nagayama S

Primary Institution: National Cancer Center Hospital

Hypothesis

The study aims to investigate the differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics between oral S-1 and protracted venous infusion (PVI) of 5-fluorouracil.

Conclusion

Oral S-1 produces higher plasma concentrations of 5-FU compared to PVI of 5-FU, with lower levels of its toxic metabolite FBAL.

Supporting Evidence

  • The Cmax and AUC of 5-FU were significantly higher during S-1 treatment compared to PVI.
  • Plasma FBAL concentrations were significantly lower during S-1 treatment than during PVI of 5-FU.
  • Patients experienced fewer side effects with S-1 compared to PVI of 5-FU.

Takeaway

This study shows that taking S-1 by mouth can give patients more of the cancer-fighting medicine 5-FU without increasing harmful side effects.

Methodology

The study involved 10 patients receiving both PVI of 5-FU and oral S-1, with blood samples collected to measure drug concentrations.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the small sample size and specific patient demographics.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and was limited to patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancer.

Participant Demographics

All participants were between 20 and 75 years old, with a median age of 66, and all had metastatic gastric carcinoma.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6601224

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