Background: The results of the use of chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastrointestinal malignancies have been disappointing. Complete responses are rare, and even partial responses are generally few with no benefit on survival. Since its introduction in clinical trials more than 30 years ago, fluorouracil has remained the most effective single agent in the treatment of these diseases. Doxifluridine is a new fluoropyrimidine derivative, that is converted into fluorouracil, its active component. Experimental data confirm cytotoxic selectivity for human tumor cells.
Methods: Three trials have been conducted at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan, to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of doxifluridine administered endovenously or orally in patients affected by different gastrointestinal neoplasms. The data will be discussed.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that doxifluridine may be superior to fluorouracil, the biochemical modulator as folinic acid seems to enhance its activity in colorectal patients. The oral schedule is feasible for home treatment.