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.
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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