Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Antitumour activity of three second-line treatment combinations in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after optimal 5-FU regimen failure: a randomised, multicentre phase II study.
We have investigated the efficacy, safety and quality of life profiles of three therapeutic combinations [irinotecan + leucovorin (LV)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin + LV/5-FU and irinotecan +oxaliplatin] in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after failure of a 5-FU-based regimen, or whose disease had progressed within 6 months of the end of treatment. ⋯ Thus, second-line treatment with irinotecan/LV5FU2, oxaliplatin/LV5FU2 or irinotecan/oxaliplatin, provides good tumour growth control and survival coupled with an acceptable safety profile.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Phase II trial of 5-fluorouracil plus eniluracil in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: a Southwest Oncology Group study.
Eniluracil is a potent, irreversible inactivator of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, the major catabolic enzyme for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Pretreatment with eniluracil significantly increases plasma half-life, plasma concentration and oral bioavailability of 5-FU. This multicenter phase II trial was designed to estimate the 6-month survival rate in patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas treated with 5-FU and eniluracil. ⋯ These results suggest that the combination of a 7-day course of eniluracil and a 5-day course of oral 5-FU has limited activity in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, and is associated with a high frequency of clinically significant adverse events.
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Comparative Study
A comparative economic analysis of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin versus topotecan in ovarian cancer in the USA and the UK.
Economic information is necessary for rational decision-making in health care. Many European countries require financial impact statements prior to drug approval, and many health care organizations in the USA consider cost-effectiveness when making formulary decisions. We report the findings and discuss the policy implications of an economic evaluation based on an international, randomized controlled trial of salvage therapy for epithelial ovarian cancer, wherein topotecan and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) were found to have similar efficacy but differing toxicities. ⋯ Policy makers who evaluate pharmacoeconomic studies should consider international differences in health care delivery. Cost assessments based on information obtained from one country may not be relevant for policy makers in a different country.