Nordic 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin bolus schedule combined with oxaliplatin (Nordic FLOX) as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Acta Oncol. 2003;42(8):827-31. doi: 10.1080/02841860310018972.

Abstract

This study combined oxaliplatin with the Nordic bolus schedule of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) as first-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer. Twenty-seven patients were treated every second week with oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 as a 2-h infusion on day 1, followed by a 3-min bolus injection with 5-FU 500 mg/m2 and 30 min later a bolus injection with FA 60 mg/m2 given on days 1 and 2. Seventeen patients achieved a complete (n = 2) or partial (n = 15) response, leading to a confirmed response rate of 63% (95% CI 45-81%). The estimated median times to progression and survival were 8.9 and 18.7 months, respectively. Neutropenia grade 3-4 toxicity was seen in 63% of patients, neuropathy grade 3 in one patient and grade 2 in 12 patients. Oxaliplatin combined with the bolus Nordic schedule of 5-FU/ FA (Nordic FLOX) appears to be well tolerated, effective and feasible as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer yielding results comparable with those obtained by more complex schedules.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / administration & dosage*
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil