5FU infusion with mitomycin‐C versus 5FU infusion with methyl‐CCNU in the treatment of advanced colon cancer. A southwest oncology group study

The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) in a randomized trial evaluated 5FU infusions in combination with either Mitomycin‐C or Methyl‐CCNU in patients with disseminated large bowel cancer. A response rate of 18% was noted on the 5FU‐Mitomycin limb as compared to 16% on the Methyl‐CCNU arm (p = .39). Median survival for all treated patients was 43 weeks on both arms. Myelosuppression was found to be more significant on the Mitomycin‐C arm. Regression analysis demonstrated that performance status, sex, and primary site were significant pretreatment characteristics for predicting survival. The response rates associated with this burdensome method of 5FU administration in combination with either Mitomycin‐C or Methyl‐CCNU appear to offer little advantage over bolus 5FU alone.