Enhancement of Cytotoxic Efficacy of 5-Deoxy-5-fluorouridine in Acetoxymethyl-methylnitrosamine-Induced Colorectal Adenocarcinomas in SD Rats by Locoregional Administration into the Inferior Mesenteric Artery

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent tumors in the western world, with rising incidence and mortality [8]. Surgery remains the only modality with curative potential, but the majority of patients with advanced neoplasms are not amenable to surgical cure. Even when resection is possible, the patients remain at high risk for recurrence and metastasis. This situation leads to the concept of combined treatment, i.e., surgery with radiotherapy, which controls the locoregional recurrence, and/or chemotherapy, which in theory controls distant micrometastasis or systemic dissemination [4]. However, most patients with advanced disease experience progression in spite of conventional chemotherapy, which is characterized by being unspecific and displaying a narrow range between marginally active and toxic doses.