Continuous intravenous administration of 1-(2-tetrahydrofuryl)-5-fluorouracil [FT] by intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH)--stability of FT in IVH solution and tumor levels of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

The continuous intravenous administration of 1-(2-tetrahydrofuryl)-5-fluorouracil (FT) to colorectal cancer patients was studied in regard to the stability of FT in intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH) solutions and tumor levels of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). FT was very compatible with IVH solutions, because the decomposition of FT in IVH solution was very low, 3%. High levels of 5-FU, which is an active metabolite of FT, were obtained in the tumors, averaging 0.369 mcg/g. The ratios of 5-FU levels in the tumor to those in serum and normal tissues were 13.6 and 3.7, respectively. The difference in 5-FU levels between normal tissues and the tumors was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). Therefore, continuous intravenous administration of FT should be widely used to treat patients with colorectal cancer, as the method of administration of antitumor agents.