Commonly Used Drugs

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is recommended as adjuvant for Stage III disease (positive lymph nodes)

• 5-FU alone
• 5-FU and levamisole (Biological Response Modifier)
• 5-FU and leucovorin (under clinical evaluation)-ancillary drug
• 5-FU plus radiation therapy for rectal cancer
• Portal vein infusion of 5-FU for known or suspected liver metastases (under clinical evaluation—has shown improvement in palliation but not in survival)

Combinations

MOF—5-FU, Methyl-CCNU and vincristine (no longer considered to be appropriate adjuvant treatment per NCI because of M-CCNU's renal toxicity and leukemogenic effect)

Hormones

Not useful for colorectal cancer

Biological Response Modifiers

Under clinical evaluation