Activity and toxicity of oxaliplatin plus raltitrexed in 5-fluorouracil refractory metastatic colorectal adeno-carcinoma

Background: This study evaluated the antitumor efficacy and safety of a novel oxaliplatin/raltitrexed combination in pretreated advanced colorectal cancer patients. Patients and Methods: Forty-five patients with 5-fluorouracil-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer received raltitrexed 3.0 mg/m2 as a 15-minute intravenous (i.v.) infusion, followed 45 min later by l-OHP 130mg/m2 iv as 2-h venous infusion on 1 day every 3 weeks. All patients had histologically proven metastatic colorectal cancer, age 18-75, measurable disease and normal baseline biological values. Most patients (60%) had >2 disease sites. All patients were assessed for safety and also for response according to an intent-to-t…