Elsevier

The Lancet

Volume 356, Issue 9229, 12 August 2000, Pages 566-567
The Lancet

Research Letters
Effect of thalidomide on gastrointestinal toxic effects of irinotecan

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02586-1Get rights and content

Summary

Irinotecan is the only accepted second-line treatment for colorectal cancer in the USA. Doses are, however, frequently limited by associated late-onset diarrhoea. Thalidomide has antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties and is being investigated as an antineoplastic. We did a pilot study of combination therapy with thalidomide and irinotecan for metastatic colorectal cancer. In an interim analysis of nine patients, thalidomide had almost eliminated the dose-limiting gastrointestinal toxic effects of irinotecan, especially diarrhoea and nausea (each p<0·0001), and eight of nine patients were able to complete the chemotherapy course.

References (5)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

View full text