Clinical outcomes of FOLFOX/FOLFIRI for the Japanese patients with far-advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Oxaliplatin, Irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin are commonly used to treat advanced colorectal cancer in Western countries. Here, we investigated the efficacy and safety of FOLFOX/FOLFIRI in Japanese colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: FOLFOX4, modified FOLFOX6 and FOLFIRI was administered to a total of 23 patients with far advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer in our institute. Tumor response rate and toxicity were analyzed with these patients.

Results: Partial response and stable disease was observed in 28.6% of patients, respectively. There was no therapy-related death. Neutropenia was observed in 12 cases (52.2%), anemia was in 12 cases (52.2%) and thrombocytopenia was in 6 cases (26.1%), respectively; among them, 9 patients (39.1%) experienced a Grade 3 of bone marrow suppression. Fatigue was observed in 8 cases (34.8%), nausea/vomiting was in 4 cases (17.4%), diarrhea was in 4 cases (17.4%) and neurotoxicity was in 8 cases (34.8%), respectively. All nonhematological toxicities were Grade 1 or 2.

Conclusion: FOLFOX/FOLFIRI can contribute to efficacy and safety in cases of advanced colorectal cancer. In order to evaluate the long-term clinical results in Japanese patients, prospective controlled studies are urgently called for.