Lethal Toxicity After 5-Fluorouracil Chemotherapy and Its Possible Relationship to Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency: A Case Report and Review

Authors: Díaz, R.; Segura, Á.; Aparicio, J.; Calderero, V.; Guerrero, Á.; Pellín, L.

Source: Journal of Chemotherapy, Number 6, December 2004 , pp. 599-603(5)

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Abstract:

5- fluorouracil (5-FU) is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used in the treatment of solid malignancies, especially in colorectal cancer. A characteristic note seen with its use is the considerable interindividual variation in the incidence and severi-ty of the toxicities seen among patients. We report the case of a 55-year old woman who presented with severe, lethal toxicity to standard doses of 5-fluo-rouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid. We discuss the known clinical determinants of toxi-city. We also discuss the possible molecular factors implicated in the variable toxic-ity seen to 5-FU, especially in regards to dihiyropyrimidine dehydrogenase, a piv-otal enzyme in the metabolism of 5-FU.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; dihydropy-rimidine dehydrogenase; 5-fluorouracil; toxicity; chemotherapy

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 2004-12-01

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