A randomized phase III multicenter trial comparing irinotecan in combination with the Nordic bolus 5-FU and folinic acid schedule or the bolus/infused de Gramont schedule (Lv5FU2) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Background: To compare irinotecan with the Nordic 5- fluorouracil (5- FU) and folinic acid (FA) bolus schedule [ irinotecan 180 mg/m(2) on day 1, 5- FU 500 mg/m(2) and FA 60 mg/m(2) on day 1 and 2 (FLIRI)] or the Lv5FU2 schedule [ irinotecan 180 mg/m(2) on day 1, FA 200 mg/m(2), 5- FU bolus 400 mg/m(2) and infused 5- FU 600 mg/m(2) on day 1 and 2 (Lv5FU2- IRI)] due to uncertainties about how to administrate 5- FU with irinotecan. Patients and methods: Patients (n = 567) with metastatic colorectal cancer were randomly assigned to receive FLIRI or Lv5FU2- IRI. Primary end point was progression- free survival (PFS). Results: Patient characteristics were well balanced. PFS did not differ between groups (median 9 months, P = 0.22). Overall survival (OS) was also similar (median 19 months, P = 0.9). Fewer objective responses were seen in the FLIRI group (35% versus 49%, P = 0.001) but the metastatic resection rate did not differ (4% versus 6%, P = 0.3). Grade 3/4 neutropenia (11% versus 5%, P = 0.01) and grade 2 alopecia (18% versus 9%, P = 0.002) were more common in the FLIRI group. The 60- day mortality was 2.4% versus 2.1%. Conclusions: Irinotecan with the bolus Nordic schedule (FLIRI) is a convenient treatment with PFS and OS comparable to irinotecan with the Lv5FU2 schedule. Neutropenia and alopecia are more prevalent, but both regimens are equally well tolerated.