Treatment of advanced gastric and colorectal cancer with 5-FU, leucovorin and interferon-α

Twenty-four patients with advanced or relapsed gastric or colorectal cancer were treated with a combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin (LV) and interferon-α (IFN-α). 5-FU was administered by rapid intravenous infusion at 350 mg/m² for 5 consecutive days. Intravenous bolus administration of LV 20 mg/m² was given before each 5-FU administration. This combination was repeated every 3 to 4 weeks. IFN-α (HLBI), 6MU, was administered subcutaneously daily. Of 13 patients with gastric cancer, there were 2 PR, 4 NC and 7 PD, and among 11 patients with colorectal cancer, there were 1 CR, 8 NC and 2 PD. All 16 previously treated patients had no clinical response. Responses were seen in patients with no prior chemotherapy and with good performance status. Most common toxicities observed were leucopenia, fever, stomatitis and diarrhea, which were all tolerable and reversible.