IFL regimen (irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorine) for the treatment of colorectal cancer
Pichon Riviere A, Augustovski F, Regueiro A, Garcia Marti S, Glujovsky D
Record ID 32005000647
Spanish
Authors' objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate IFL (irinotecan, 5-fluoruacil, leucovorine) for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, and determine its efficacy and clinical impact.
Authors' results and conclusions:
Clinical randomized trials with irinotecan as single agent for second line chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer who had previously received a fluoruracil bolus, demonstrated a mean survival increase of 2 to 3 months in comparison with not only the best supportive care treatment but also with fluoruracil as intravenous infusion. The quality of life was similar or better. Later irinotecan was used in combination with 5 FU and leucovorin as initial treatment for metastatic colon cancer. Multicentric trials demonstrated that the combination of the three drugs had double 5 FU/LV probabilities of achieving 50 % or more of tumor mass reduction, resulting in an increase of 2 months of mean survival.
Authors' recommendations:
While the average life expectancy of patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma is about 6 months without treatment and extends to 10-12 months when 5 FU is administered alone or in combination with LV, mean survival increases to 14-16 months when Irinotecan is added to the 5 fluoruracil based regimen. Survival would extend even more, to 20 months or more, when the 3 drugs are combined in one scheme. As a consequence, the greatest effectiveness of IFL has been adequately documented. The point to discuss is the cost-effectiveness and cost- usefulness of the intervention, considering the high marginal treatment costs and that it is a palliative treatment in a system which has been declared in economic emergency.
Authors' methods:
Overview
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.iecs.org.ar/
Year Published:
2004
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Argentina
MeSH Terms
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
- Camptothecin
- Fluorouracil
- Leucovorin
- Neoplasms
Contact
Organisation Name:
Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy
Contact Address:
Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA
Contact Name:
info@iecs.org.ar
Contact Email:
info@iecs.org.ar
Copyright:
Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)
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