Oxaliplatin and UFT combination chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

A phase II study was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity of oxaliplatin combined with uracil and tegafur (UFT) in patients with advanced colorectal cancer previously treated with a fluoropyrimidine-based regimen. From January to December 1999, 34 patients were enrolled in this study. Patients received intravenous oxaliplatin 130 mg/m² on day 1 and daily oral UFT 350 mg/m² in 3 divided doses for 21 days and repeated every 21 days. Thirty-one of 34 patients were assessable for response and 32 patients for toxicity. Partial response was observed in four patients and stable disease in six patients. The response rate was 12.9% (95% CI, 3.6-29.8%) and median duration of response was 17 weeks. The median overall survival and progression-free survival of all patients were 26 weeks (range, 3-90+ weeks) and 9 weeks (range, 3-56 weeks), respectively. Sensory neuropathy was the most common toxicity, but there was no severe toxicity (>grade II) except for a case of grade III neutropenia. We conclude that oxaliplatin and UFT combination chemotherapy was well tolerated without significant toxicities. The results of this trial will serve as the basis for designing new clinical trials with a different dose or schedule.