BACKGROUND Capecitabine is an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil and has been studied for the treatment of colorectal cancer. In 2 Phase III trials, capecitabine was at least as effective as 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin and had a more favorable toxicity profile. OBJECTIVE A cost-benefit analysis was used to assess the pharmacoeconomic profile of capecitabine compared with 5-fluorouracil/leucovo...

A case of hyperammonaemic encephalopathy that developed during the administration of a widely used chemotherapy regimen is reported in a 51-year-old man. 5-Fluorouracil was considered to be the causative agent. Although encephalopathy is a rare toxic effect of 5-fluorouracil, this case illustrates a serious and potentially life-threatening complication during a chemotherapy regimen using 5-fluo...

BACKGROUND Severe cardiotoxicity is a documented, but very unusual side-effect of intravenous 5-fluorouracil therapy. The mechanism producing cardiotoxicity is poorly understood. CASE PRESENTATION A case of 5-fluorouracil-induced cardiotoxicity, possibly due to coronary artery spasm, and mimicking acute anterolateral myocardial infarction is presented and discussed. Electrocardiographs highli...

INTRODUCTION Therapy comprising 5-fluorouracil, levofolinate, and oxaliplatin is currently the most common chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. We experienced a successful case of advanced colon cancer and recurrent breast cancer with 5-fluorouracil, levofolinate, and oxaliplatin therapy. CASE PRESENTATION A 43-year-old Japanese woman who had already undergone surgery three times for bilateral...

The rate limiting step in 5-fluorouracil catabolism is catalyzed by the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase. Since degradation of 5-fluorouracil decreases its efficacy in chemotherapy, the inhibition of its catabolism is a promising tool. We investigated the formation of micronuclei in vitro in mouse L5178Y cells. 5-fluorouracil induced an increase in micronucleus frequency, which could sign...

Rapamycin exhibits activity against several ascites and solid transplantable tumors; it is slightly active to inactive against leukemias. On a weight basis, rapamycin was less active than 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide and adriamycin, but rapamycin's maximal activity against Colon 38 tumor was similar to that of 5-fluorouracil and cyclophosphamide. Its activity was such that it significantly ...