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Long-term effect of 5-fluorouracil enhanced by intermittent administration of polysaccharide K after curative resection of colon cancer

A randomized controlled trial for 7-year follow-up

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background and aims

The efficacy of a biological response modifier polysaccharide K in adjuvant immunochemotherapy was evaluated in primary colon cancer patients with macroscopic Dukes' C after curative resection.

Patients and methods

Employing the minimization method using three factors (lymph node metastases, preoperative serum CEA level, and institution), 446 patients were allocated into groups P and C. Group P received immunochemotherapy, oral PSK (3 g per day) followed by oral 5-FU (200 mg/body per day), while group C received only intermittent chemotherapy, oral 5-FU (200 mg per day) followed by 4-week rest. Both groups received ten courses.

Results

Survival for cancer death was significantly higher in group P than in group C, but there was no difference in 7-year disease-free survival or overall survival had.

Conclusion

Repeated alternating administration with PSK followed by 5-FU can improve survival for cancer death.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ms. Atsuko Tanaka for the assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery 2, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, 466-8550, Nagoya, Japan

    Katsuki Ito & Hiroshi Takagi

  2. Yokoyama Gastrointestinal Hospital, 3-11-20, Chiyoda, Naka-ku, 460-0012, Nagoya, Japan

    Hiroaki Nakazato

  3. Department of Surgery 1, Aichi Medical University, 21 Karimata, Yazako, Nagakute-cho, Aichi-gun, 480-1195, Aichi, Japan

    Akihiko Koike

  4. Department of Surgery 2, Gifu University School of Medicine, 40 Tsukasa-machi, 500-8705, Gifu, Japan

    Shigetoyo Saji

  5. Department of Surgery 2, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 3600 Handa-cho, 431-3192, Hamamatsu, Japan

    Shozo Baba

  6. Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, 920-0934, Kanazawa, Japan

    Masayoshi Mai

  7. Department of Surgery, Aichi Prefectural Hospital, 18 Kuriyado, Kake-machi, 444-0011, Okazaki, Japan

    Jun-ichi Sakamoto

  8. Department of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033, Tokyo, Japan

    Yasuo Ohashi

Authors
  1. Katsuki Ito
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  2. Hiroaki Nakazato
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  3. Akihiko Koike
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  4. Hiroshi Takagi
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  5. Shigetoyo Saji
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  6. Shozo Baba
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  7. Masayoshi Mai
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  8. Jun-ichi Sakamoto
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  9. Yasuo Ohashi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katsuki Ito.

Additional information

The authors represent the Study Group of Immunochemotherapy with PSK for Colon Cancer

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Ito, K., Nakazato, H., Koike, A. et al. Long-term effect of 5-fluorouracil enhanced by intermittent administration of polysaccharide K after curative resection of colon cancer. Int J Colorectal Dis 19, 157–164 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-003-0532-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-003-0532-x

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