Regimen ‘shows excellent response’ in treatment of colorectal cancer

A novel combination regimen, which was based on Merck KGaA’s oral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) therapy UFT plus leucovorin (LV), has shown a positive response rate in the treatment of colorectal cancer at the first-line stage.

The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago on June 4th 2007.

Colorectal cancer patients underwent a phase I/II open label trial, where the feasibility of UFT plus LV allied with alternating irinotecan and oxaliplatin was investigated.

Study author Dr Hamid Sheikh of Christie Hospital in Manchester remarked: “Our findings point to the potential of this regimen in the first-line management of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

“In our opinion, UFT is an effective alternative to 5-FU in this disease.”

Each March, a number of organisations which focus on the treatment of colorectal cancer join forces to raise awareness of the disease in National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

During the month, statistics regarding the illness are highlighted and steps people can take to avoid getting the disease are revealed.