Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer with 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, and CCNU: comparison of oral and continuous iv administration of 5-fluorouracil.

Forty-six adult patients with colorectal cancer were treated with cyclophosphamide and CCNU administered orally and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) administered either orally or by continuous iv infusion (FCC-CIF), depending on the availability of hospital beds. The overall response rate in 37 patients with measurable disease was 25%. The response was greater in patients who had had no prior treatment (seven of 20 versus two of 17) and in patients treated with FCC-CIF (six of 19 versus three of 18). Among patients receiving FCC-CIF, response was also greater in those who had received no prior therapy (five of nine versus one of ten). The overall median survival was 7.5 months, regardless of the route of administration of 5-FU. Further investigations are indicated to study the efficacy of 5-FU administered by continuous iv infusion in combination with other agents in patients who have had no prior treatment.