Home |
Current Issue |
Past Issues |
In the Clinic |
ACP Journal Club |
CME |
Collections |
Audio/Video |
Mobile |
Subscribe |
Tools |
Help |
ACP Online
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 March 1995 | Volume 122 Issue 5 | Pages 321-326
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of two adjuvant therapy regimens in improving surgical cure rates in stage III (Dukes stage C) colon cancer.
Design: Randomized, concurrently controlled clinical trial.
Setting: Major cancer centers, universities, and community clinics affiliated with the North Cancer Treatment Group, the Southwest Oncology Group, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.
Patients: Those who had had curative-intent resections of stage III colon cancer in the previous 1 to 5 weeks.
Intervention: Patients were assigned to observation only, to levamisole alone (50 mg orally three times/d for 3 days, repeated every 2 weeks for 1 year), or to this regimen of levamisole plus fluorouracil (450 mg/m2 body surface area intravenously daily for 5 days and then, beginning at 28 days, weekly for 48 weeks).
Measurements: Rates of cancer recurrence and death. Early-and late-treatment side effects.
Results: With all 929 eligible patients able to be followed for 5 years or more (median follow-up, 6.5 years), fluorouracil plus levamisole reduced the recurrence rate by 40% (P < 0.0001) and the death rate by 33% (P = 0.0007). Levamisole reduced the recurrence rate by only 2% and the death rate by only 6%. With few exceptions, toxicity was mild and patient compliance was excellent. No evidence of late side effects was seen.
Conclusion: Fluorouracil plus levamisole is tolerable adjuvant therapy to surgery; it has been confirmed to substantially increase cure rates for patients with high-risk (stage III) colon cancer. It should be considered standard treatment for all such patients not entered into clinical trials.
Author and Article Information
From the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington. Temple University School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grand Forks Clinic, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. St. Louis Community Clinical Oncology Program, St. Louis, Missouri. AMC Cancer Research Center, Denver, Colorado. Oncology Hematology Associates, Peoria, Illinois. St. Joseph Hospital and Creighton University Cancer Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
ARTICLE
Fluorouracil plus Levamisole as Effective Adjuvant Therapy after Resection of Stage III Colon Carcinoma: A Final Report
![]()
Requests for Reprints: Janet Graff and Thomas R. Fleming, Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG-8591), Operations Office, 14980 Omincron Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78245.
Acknowledgments: The authors thank Ms. Deborah Papenfus and Mr. John VanDamme, BS, BA, for data management and statistical assistance.
Grant Support: In part by U.S. Public Health Service grants CA-25224, CA-31224, and CA-37404 (to the North Central Cancer Treatment Group and Mayo Clinic); CA-21115, CA-37403, and CA-39088 (to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group); CA-32102, CA-38926, and CA-3909 (to the Southwest Oncology Group); and CA-38926 (to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) and by grants to individual participating institutions from the National Cancer Institute.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
I. Zlobec, L. M. Terracciano, and A. Lugli Local Recurrence in Mismatch Repair-Proficient Colon Cancer Predicted by an Infiltrative Tumor Border and Lack of CD8+ Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Clin. Cancer Res., June 15, 2008; 14(12): 3792 - 3797. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Lurje, W. Zhang, A. M. Schultheis, D. Yang, S. Groshen, A. E. Hendifar, H. Husain, M. A. Gordon, F. Nagashima, H. M. Chang, et al. Polymorphisms in VEGF and IL-8 predict tumor recurrence in stage III colon cancer Ann. Onc., June 11, 2008; (2008) mdn368v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Soong, N. Shah, M. Salto-Tellez, B. C. Tai, R. A. Soo, H. C. Han, S. S. Ng, W. L. Tan, N. Zeps, D. Joseph, et al. Prognostic significance of thymidylate synthase, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase and thymidine phosphorylase protein expression in colorectal cancer patients treated with or without 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy Ann. Onc., May 1, 2008; 19(5): 915 - 919. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Steinert, M. Hantschick, M. Vieth, I. Gastinger, F. Kuhnel, H. Lippert, and M. A. Reymond Influence of Subclinical Tumor Spreading on Survival After Curative Surgery for Colorectal Cancer Arch Surg, February 1, 2008; 143(2): 122 - 128. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Berglund, B. Cedermark, and B. Glimelius Is it deleterious to delay the start of adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer stage III? Ann. Onc., February 1, 2008; 19(2): 400 - 402. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Sezeur, F.P. Chatelet, Ch. Cywiner, Cl. de Labriolle-Vaylet, C. Chastang, Cl. Billotey, M. Malafosse, D. Gallot, P. Betton, F. Montravers, et al. Pathology Underrates Colon Cancer Extranodal and Nodal Metastases; Ex vivo Radioimmunodetection Helps Staging Clin. Cancer Res., September 15, 2007; 13(18): 5592s - 5597s. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. J. A. Punt, M. Buyse, C.-H. Kohne, P. Hohenberger, R. Labianca, H. J. Schmoll, L. Pahlman, A. Sobrero, and J.-Y. Douillard Endpoints in Adjuvant Treatment Trials: A Systematic Review of the Literature in Colon Cancer and Proposed Definitions for Future Trials J Natl Cancer Inst, July 4, 2007; 99(13): 998 - 1003. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Extermann and A. Hurria Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for Older Patients With Cancer J. Clin. Oncol., May 10, 2007; 25(14): 1824 - 1831. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. M. Wolpin, J. A. Meyerhardt, H. J. Mamon, and R. J. Mayer Adjuvant Treatment of Colorectal Cancer CA Cancer J Clin, May 1, 2007; 57(3): 168 - 185. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. J. de Haas, D. A. Wicherts, M. G. G. Hobbelink, I. H. M. B. Rinkes, M. E. I. Schipper, J.-A. van der Zee, and R. van Hillegersberg Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Colon Cancer: Current Status Ann. Surg. Oncol., March 1, 2007; 14(3): 1070 - 1080. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. P. Kim, L. H. Colangelo, H. S. Wieand, S. Paik, I. R. Kirsch, N. Wolmark, and C. J. Allegra Prognostic and Predictive Roles of High-Degree Microsatellite Instability in Colon Cancer: A National Cancer Institute-National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Collaborative Study J. Clin. Oncol., March 1, 2007; 25(7): 767 - 772. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. A. Quadros, A. Lopes, I. Araujo, F. Fahel, M. S. Bacellar, and C. S. Dias Retroperitoneal and Lateral Pelvic Lymphadenectomy Mapped by Lymphoscintigraphy and Blue Dye for Rectal Adenocarcinoma Staging: Preliminary Results Ann. Surg. Oncol., December 1, 2006; 13(12): 1617 - 1621. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S Popat, Z Chen, D Zhao, H Pan, N Hearle, I Chandler, Y Shao, W Aherne, and R. Houlston A prospective, blinded analysis of thymidylate synthase and p53 expression as prognostic markers in the adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer Ann. Onc., December 1, 2006; 17(12): 1810 - 1817. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Portier, D. Elias, O. Bouche, P. Rougier, J.-F. Bosset, J. Saric, J. Belghiti, P. Piedbois, R. Guimbaud, B. Nordlinger, et al. Multicenter Randomized Trial of Adjuvant Fluorouracil and Folinic Acid Compared With Surgery Alone After Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases: FFCD ACHBTH AURC 9002 Trial J. Clin. Oncol., November 1, 2006; 24(31): 4976 - 4982. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. L. Bartlett, J. Berlin, G. Y. Lauwers, W. A. Messersmith, N. J. Petrelli, and A. P. Venook Chemotherapy and Regional Therapy of Hepatic Colorectal Metastases: Expert Consensus Statement Ann. Surg. Oncol., October 1, 2006; 13(10): 1284 - 1292. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. B. Benson III New Approaches to the Adjuvant Therapy of Colon Cancer Oncologist, October 1, 2006; 11(9): 973 - 980. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Luo, S. H. Giordano, J. L. Freeman, D. Zhang, and J. S. Goodwin Referral to Medical Oncology: A Crucial Step in the Treatment of Older Patients with Stage III Colon Cancer Oncologist, October 1, 2006; 11(9): 1025 - 1033. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. K. Monga and M. J. O'Connell Surgical Adjuvant Therapy for Colorectal Cancer: Current Approaches and Future Directions Ann. Surg. Oncol., August 1, 2006; 13(8): 1021 - 1034. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J M Carethers Prospective evaluation of fluorouracil chemotherapy based on the genetic makeup of colorectal cancer. Gut, June 1, 2006; 55(6): 759 - 761. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R Jover, P Zapater, A Castells, X Llor, M Andreu, J Cubiella, V Pinol, R M Xicola, L Bujanda, J M Rene, et al. Mismatch repair status in the prediction of benefit from adjuvant fluorouracil chemotherapy in colorectal cancer Gut, June 1, 2006; 55(6): 848 - 855. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. M. Goldberg, D. Niedzwiecki, M. Bertagnolli, A. W. Blackstock, J. E. Tepper, and R. J. Mayer Cancer and leukemia group B gastrointestinal cancer committee. Clin. Cancer Res., June 1, 2006; 12(11): 3589s - 3595s. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. I. Neugut, M. Matasar, X. Wang, R. McBride, J. S. Jacobson, W.-Y. Tsai, V. R. Grann, and D. L. Hershman Duration of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer and Survival Among the Elderly J. Clin. Oncol., May 20, 2006; 24(15): 2368 - 2375. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
V. R. Grann and F. M. Muggia Completion rates of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer: a historical perspective. J Natl Cancer Inst, May 3, 2006; 98(9): 570 - 571. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. A. Dobie, L.-M. Baldwin, J. A. Dominitz, B. Matthews, K. Billingsley, and W. Barlow Completion of therapy by Medicare patients with stage III colon cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst, May 3, 2006; 98(9): 610 - 619. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. G. Haller, P. J. Catalano, J. S. Macdonald, M. A. O'Rourke, M. S. Frontiera, D. V. Jackson, and R. J. Mayer Phase III Study of Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Levamisole in High-Risk Stage II and III Colon Cancer: Final Report of Intergroup 0089 J. Clin. Oncol., December 1, 2005; 23(34): 8671 - 8678. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. Benatti, R. Gafa, D. Barana, M. Marino, A. Scarselli, M. Pedroni, I. Maestri, L. Guerzoni, L. Roncucci, M. Menigatti, et al. Microsatellite Instability and Colorectal Cancer Prognosis Clin. Cancer Res., December 1, 2005; 11(23): 8332 - 8340. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. J. Chua, D. Sargent, and D. Cunningham Definition of disease-free survival: this is my truth-show me yours Ann. Onc., November 1, 2005; 16(11): 1719 - 1721. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. L. Westra, H. Hollema, M. Schaapveld, I. Platteel, K. A. Oien, W. N. Keith, R. Mauritz, G. J. Peters, C. H. C. M. Buys, R. M. W. Hofstra, et al. Predictive value of thymidylate synthase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase protein expression on survival in adjuvantly treated stage III colon cancer patients Ann. Onc., October 1, 2005; 16(10): 1646 - 1653. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Ohrling, D. Edler, M. Hallstrom, P. Ragnhammar, and H. Blomgren Detection of Thymidylate Synthase Expression in Lymph Node Metastases of Colorectal Cancer Can Improve the Prognostic Information J. Clin. Oncol., August 20, 2005; 23(24): 5628 - 5634. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. D. Ahlgren Thymidylate Synthase in Nodal Metastases: Prognostic for Chemosensitivity But Not for Adjuvant Therapy? J. Clin. Oncol., August 20, 2005; 23(24): 5452 - 5454. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. R. Weihrauch, S. Ansen, E. Jurkiewicz, C. Geisen, Z. Xia, K. S. Anderson, E. Gracien, M. Schmidt, B. Wittig, V. Diehl, et al. Phase I/II Combined Chemoimmunotherapy with Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Derived HLA-A2-Restricted CAP-1 Peptide and Irinotecan, 5-Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin in Patients with Primary Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Clin. Cancer Res., August 15, 2005; 11(16): 5993 - 6001. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N Andre and W Schmiegel CHEMORADIOTHERAPY FOR COLORECTAL CANCER Gut, August 1, 2005; 54(8): 1194 - 1202. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Twelves, A. Wong, M. P. Nowacki, M. Abt, H. Burris III, A. Carrato, J. Cassidy, A. Cervantes, J. Fagerberg, V. Georgoulias, et al. Capecitabine as Adjuvant Treatment for Stage III Colon Cancer N. Engl. J. Med., June 30, 2005; 352(26): 2696 - 2704. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. Baddi and A. Benson III Adjuvant Therapy in Stage II Colon Cancer: Current Approaches Oncologist, May 1, 2005; 10(5): 325 - 331. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. Chau, A. R. Norman, D. Cunningham, D. Tait, P. J. Ross, T. Iveson, M. Hill, T. Hickish, F. Lofts, D. Jodrell, et al. A randomised comparison between 6 months of bolus fluorouracil/leucovorin and 12 weeks of protracted venous infusion fluorouracil as adjuvant treatment in colorectal cancer Ann. Onc., April 1, 2005; 16(4): 549 - 557. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. Alazzouzi, P. Alhopuro, R. Salovaara, H. Sammalkorpi, H. Jarvinen, J.-P. Mecklin, A. Hemminki, S. Schwartz Jr., L. A. Aaltonen, and D. Arango SMAD4 as a Prognostic Marker in Colorectal Cancer Clin. Cancer Res., April 1, 2005; 11(7): 2606 - 2611. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. A. Kidd, J. Yu, X. Li, W. D. Shannon, M. A. Watson, and H. L. McLeod Variance in the Expression of 5-Fluorouracil Pathway Genes in Colorectal Cancer Clin. Cancer Res., April 1, 2005; 11(7): 2612 - 2619. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. A. Poplin, J. K. Benedetti, N. C. Estes, D. G. Haller, R. J. Mayer, R. M. Goldberg, G. R. Weiss, S. E. Rivkin, and J. S. Macdonald Phase III Southwest Oncology Group 9415/Intergroup 0153 Randomized Trial of Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Levamisole Versus Fluorouracil Continuous Infusion and Levamisole for Adjuvant Treatment of Stage III and High-Risk Stage II Colon Cancer J. Clin. Oncol., March 20, 2005; 23(9): 1819 - 1825. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. A. Meyerhardt and R. J. Mayer Systemic Therapy for Colorectal Cancer N. Engl. J. Med., February 3, 2005; 352(5): 476 - 487. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Popat, R. Hubner, and R.S. Houlston Systematic Review of Microsatellite Instability and Colorectal Cancer Prognosis J. Clin. Oncol., January 20, 2005; 23(3): 609 - 618. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
The Meta-Analysis Group in Cancer Modulation of Fluorouracil by Leucovorin in Patients With Advanced Colorectal Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis J. Clin. Oncol., September 15, 2004; 22(18): 3766 - 3775. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N P Zauber, C Wang, P S Lee, T C Redondo, D T Bishop, and A Goel Ki-ras gene mutations, LOH of the APC and DCC genes, and microsatellite instability in primary colorectal carcinoma are not associated with micrometastases in pericolonic lymph nodes or with patients' survival J. Clin. Pathol., September 1, 2004; 57(9): 938 - 942. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. B. Benson III, D. Schrag, M. R. Somerfield, A. M. Cohen, A. T. Figueredo, P. J. Flynn, M. K. Krzyzanowska, J. Maroun, P. McAllister, E. Van Cutsem, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology Recommendations on Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage II Colon Cancer J. Clin. Oncol., August 15, 2004; 22(16): 3408 - 3419. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. A. Martenson Jr, C. G. Willett, D. J. Sargent, J. A. Mailliard, J. H. Donohue, L. L. Gunderson, C. R. Thomas Jr, B. Fisher, A. B. Benson III, R. Myerson, et al. Phase III Study of Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Compared With Chemotherapy Alone in the Surgical Adjuvant Treatment of Colon Cancer: Results of Intergroup Protocol 0130 J. Clin. Oncol., August 15, 2004; 22(16): 3277 - 3283. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. H. Wong, D. S. Johnson, T. Namiki, and P. Tauchi-Nishi Validation of Ex Vivo Lymphatic Mapping in Hematoxylin-Eosin Node-Negative Carcinoma of the Colon and Rectum Ann. Surg. Oncol., August 1, 2004; 11(8): 772 - 777. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. F. Onate-Ocana, R. Montesdeoca, C. M. Lopez-Graniel, V. Aiello-Crocifoglio, R. Mondragon-Sanchez, M. Cortina-Borja, R. Herrera-Goepfert, C. Oros-Ovalle, and D. Gallardo-Rincon Identification of Patients with High-risk Lymph Node-negative Colorectal Cancer and Potential Benefit from Adjuvant Chemotherapy Jpn. J. Clin. Oncol., June 1, 2004; 34(6): 323 - 328. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. Diaz-Rubio New Chemotherapeutic Advances in Pancreatic, Colorectal, and Gastric Cancers Oncologist, June 1, 2004; 9(3): 282 - 294. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Labianca, R. Fossati, A. Zaniboni, V. Torri, S. Marsoni, D. Nitti, L. Boffi, M. Scatizzi, B. Tardio, N. Mastrodonato, et al. Randomized Trial of Intraportal and/or Systemic Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Colon Carcinoma J Natl Cancer Inst, May 19, 2004; 96(10): 750 - 758. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. L. Gunderson, D. J. Sargent, J. E. Tepper, N. Wolmark, M. J. O'Connell, M. Begovic, C. Allmer, L. Colangelo, S. R. Smalley, D. G. Haller, et al. Impact of T and N Stage and Treatment on Survival and Relapse in Adjuvant Rectal Cancer: A Pooled Analysis J. Clin. Oncol., May 15, 2004; 22(10): 1785 - 1796. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Wang, T. Jatkoe, Y. Zhang, M. G. Mutch, D. Talantov, J. Jiang, H. L. McLeod, and D. Atkins Gene Expression Profiles and Molecular Markers To Predict Recurrence of Dukes' B Colon Cancer J. Clin. Oncol., May 1, 2004; 22(9): 1564 - 1571. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Efficacy of Oral Adjuvant Therapy After Resection of Colorectal Cancer: 5-Year Results From Three Randomized Trials J. Clin. Oncol., February 1, 2004; 22(3): 484 - 492. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Popat, A. Matakidou, and R. S. Houlston Thymidylate Synthase Expression and Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis J. Clin. Oncol., February 1, 2004; 22(3): 529 - 536. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. M. Mariadason, D. Arango, Q. Shi, A. J. Wilson, G. A. Corner, C. Nicholas, M. J. Aranes, M. Lesser, E. L. Schwartz, and L. H. Augenlicht Gene Expression Profiling-Based Prediction of Response of Colon Carcinoma Cells to 5-Fluorouracil and Camptothecin Cancer Res., December 15, 2003; 63(24): 8791 - 8812. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F.C. Wright, C.H. L. Law, L. Last, M. Khalifa, A. Arnaout, Z. Naseer, N. Klar, S. Gallinger, and A.J. Smith Lymph Node Retrieval and Assessment in Stage II Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Study Ann. Surg. Oncol., October 1, 2003; 10(8): 903 - 909. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Gray, R. Hills, and R. Stowe Anything in modulation? Ann. Onc., September 1, 2003; 14(9): 1338 - 1339. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. van Rijnsoever, H. Elsaleh, D. Joseph, K. McCaul, and B. Iacopetta CpG Island Methylator Phenotype Is an Independent Predictor of Survival Benefit from 5-Fluorouracil in Stage III Colorectal Cancer Clin. Cancer Res., August 1, 2003; 9(8): 2898 - 2903. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Pentheroudakis and N. Pavlidis Immunomodulation in colorectal cancer: disappointment or promise? Ann. Onc., March 1, 2003; 14(3): 349 - 351. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||