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Individualization of chemotherapy regimens including 5-fluorouracil in patients with colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer: theoretical and practical aspects
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Abstract
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a fluoropyrimidine used in oncology since the late 1950s. Numerous observations indicate that the currently used method of calculating the dosage of this drug based on body surface area (BSA) does not allow for achieving its optimum concentrations ensuring maximum efficiency at the least possible toxicity. 5-FU concentrations in plasma at the same dose calculated on the basis of BSA can vary over 10-fold. Pharmacokinetic parameters best associated with the biological effects of treatment with 5-FU is the total drug exposure or the area under the curve (AUC) of its concentration. The development of methods enabling fast and simple measurement of 5-FU concentrations in plasma and AUC assessment allows currently for dose individualization of this compound.
Abstract
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a fluoropyrimidine used in oncology since the late 1950s. Numerous observations indicate that the currently used method of calculating the dosage of this drug based on body surface area (BSA) does not allow for achieving its optimum concentrations ensuring maximum efficiency at the least possible toxicity. 5-FU concentrations in plasma at the same dose calculated on the basis of BSA can vary over 10-fold. Pharmacokinetic parameters best associated with the biological effects of treatment with 5-FU is the total drug exposure or the area under the curve (AUC) of its concentration. The development of methods enabling fast and simple measurement of 5-FU concentrations in plasma and AUC assessment allows currently for dose individualization of this compound.
Keywords
5-fluorouracil; area under curve; colorectal cancer; head and neck cancers
About this articleTitle
Individualization of chemotherapy regimens including 5-fluorouracil in patients with colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer: theoretical and practical aspects
Journal
Issue
Article type
Review paper
Pages
238-245
Published online
2013-01-24
Page views
653
Article views/downloads
6643
Bibliographic record
Onkol. Prak. Klin 2012;8(6):238-245.
Keywords
5-fluorouracil
area under curve
colorectal cancer
head and neck cancers
Authors
Dagmara Buczek
Jacek Jassem