Key Words

Metastatic colorectal cancer Purpose. In studies of Western countries, oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil / leucovorin (FOLFOX4) has been shown to be an effective and well-tolerated regimen for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. However, the toxicity profile and efficacy of FOLFOX4 in the Taiwanese population may be different from that of Caucasians. This study evaluates the toxicities of FOLFOX4 and the objective response rate achieved in our patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods. Forty patients with metastatic colorectal cancer managed with FOLFOX4 between January 2005 and April 2006 in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Toxicities were regularly recorded by the National Cancer Institute common toxicity system and tumor responses were assessed radiologically with a computed tomographic (CT) scan every four cycles, according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Results. Of all toxicities recorded, grade 1 hypersensitivity was found with a rate of 20 % (8/40). The rate of sensory neuropathy encountered was 40 % (16/40), mainly grade 2 (11/40). Among 16 patients with neuropathy, two (5%) had grade 3 paresthesia, which did not resolve after FOLFOX4 had been discontinued for over half-a-year. There was no pharyngo-laryngeal dysesthesia observed