Is Continuous 24-Hour Infusion of 5-Fluorouracil plus High-Dose Folinic Acid Effective in Patients with Progressive or Recurrent Colorectal Cancer?

Abstract

Continuous infusion of 5-FU/folinic acid displays activity in pretreated and refractory colorectal cancer with acceptable toxicity. Patients who had achieved disease stabilization or objective remission with previous 5-FU bolus therapy appear to be more likely to benefit from second-line treatment. Questions remaining to be addressed include the optimal starting dose of continuously infused 5-FU and whether the dose of folinic acid can be reduced or completely eliminated with respect to toxicity and health economics.