Gemcitabine combined with infusional 5-fluorouracil and high-dose leucovorin for the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the pancreas.

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and gemcitabine are the major active drugs in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with advanced pancreas cancer were treated with a new chemotherapy regimen consisting of infusional 5-FU and high-dose leucovorin with gemcitabine (GEMFUFOL).

Results: A total of 200 cycles of chemotherapy were administered. The response rate was 27.3%, all responses being partial. The median survival time and 1-year survival rate were, respectively, 13 months and 60.4%. The toxicity was very low and severe hematological toxicity was exceptional.

Conclusion: The GEMFUFOL regimen can be an active regimen for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer and has a low toxicity.