Oxaliplatin and UFT/oral calcium folinate for advanced colorectal carcinoma

Oxaliplatin is a unique platinum compound with single‐agent activity in both chemotherapy‐naïve colorectal cancer patients and patients who progressed on 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). The combination of oxaliplatin and 5‐FU has demonstrated preclinical synergy, and recent clinical trials have demonstrated enhanced activity for the combination in the clinical setting as well. UFT (uracil plus tegafur in a 4:1 molar ratio) plus oral calcium folinate (Orzel) is an oral fluoropyrimidine with several potential advantages over intravenous 5‐FU and known activity in colorectal cancer. The current trial was designed to evaluate the role of these agents in combination in the treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer.