Treatment of neuroendocrine tumours with infusional 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid and streptozocin
2003

Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumours with Infusional Chemotherapy

Sample size: 15 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Gonzalez M A, Biswas S, Clifton L, Corrie P G

Primary Institution: Oncology Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital

Hypothesis

The standard streptozocin plus bolus 5FU chemotherapy regimen could be improved in terms of both cytotoxicity and patient tolerance by using an infusional 5FU regimen.

Conclusion

The infusional chemotherapy regimen was well tolerated and showed an overall objective response rate of 53% in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumours.

Supporting Evidence

  • One patient achieved a complete response to treatment.
  • Seven patients demonstrated a partial response.
  • Two patients had stable disease.
  • Five patients had progression as the best response.
  • The overall objective response rate was 53%.
  • The median time to progression was 4 months for all patients.

Takeaway

Doctors tried a new way to give medicine to patients with a rare type of cancer, and it worked better than the old way.

Methodology

Retrospective analysis of 15 patients treated with infusional 5FU, folinic acid, and streptozocin chemotherapy.

Potential Biases

Potential biases due to the retrospective design and lack of a control group.

Limitations

The study involved a small sample size and was retrospective in nature.

Participant Demographics

15 patients (8 male, 7 female) with a median age of 60 years.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6601167

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