Background: In this study we evaluated the efficacy and toxicities of combination chemotherapy consisting of continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion and low-dose cisplatin infusion (low-dose FP therapy) in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Materials and methods: Thirty-eight patients with advanced HCC in whom local treatment was not indicated were enrolled. The low-dose FP therapy consisted of 5-FU (170 mg/m2/day on days 1 to 7/week, continuous infusion) and cisplatin (3 mg/m2/day in 100 ml normal saline, infusion more than 30 minutes, on days 1 to 5/weeks). The patients were treated for 4 consecutive weeks with a subsequent one-week rest period.
Results: Thirty-seven of the 38 patients (97%) completed this therapy. A partial response was obtained in 18 (47%), no change in 10 and progressive disease in 9. The time to progression was 211 days. The most common toxicity was nausea/vomiting (13.2%).
Conclusion: Low-dose FP therapy has a substantial effect on low-grade toxicity in long-term treatment. Low-dose FP therapy is useful for the treatment of advanced HCC.