treatment
Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive
FL alone or with oxaliplatin. In the FL group, each
cycle comprised a 2-hour infusion of 200 mg of leucovorin
per square meter of body-surface area followed
by a bolus of 400 mg of fluorouracil per
square meter and then a 22-hour infusion of 600
mg of fluorouracil per square meter given on 2 consecutive
days every 14 days, for 12 cycles. In the
group given FL plus oxaliplatin, the same FL regimen
was used, plus a two-hour infusion of 85 mg
of oxaliplatin (Eloxatin, Sanofi-Synthelabo) per
square meter on day 1, given simultaneously with
leucovorin, with the use of a
Y
infusion device. The
use of disposable pumps (LV5 infusors, Baxter
Healthcare) allowed outpatients to receive a continuous
infusion of fluorouracil.