Sequential 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (NSC 79037) and 5-fluorouracil (NSC 19893) therapy of gastrointestinal cancer.

Thirty-six patients with advanced gastrointestinal carcinoma were treated sequentially with full therapeutic doses of l-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l-nitrosourea followed by 5-fluorouracil. 5-Fluorouracil could be safely administered at 6 weeks although patients still demonstrated peripheral hematological depression secondary to the earlier l-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l-nitrosourea therapy. Of the 36 patients, 8.3% showed an objective response to l-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l-nitrosourea therapy. Of the 21 patients who were able to receive sequential 5-fluorouracil, 19% showed objective response. Only 8.3% of all patients entered into this trial showed objective response after completion of the sequential therapy, and this program must be judged as ineffective treatment for gastrointestinal cancer.