Correlation between clinicopathologic factors and kinetics of metabolic enzymes for 5-fluorouracil given to patients with colon carcinoma by two different dosage regimens

Purpose: Using tumor tissue specimens from colon carcinoma patients given 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by two different administration methods, we investigated the degree of correlation between clinicopathologic factors and the kinetics of metabolic enzymes for 5-FU. Methods: Group A patients received 500 mg/day of 5-FU as a rapid infusion over 2 h for 3 days preoperatively, and group B patients received 500 mg/day of 5-FU as a continuous infusion for 3 days preoperatively. The activities of orotate phosphoribosyl transferase (OPRT), thymidine phosphorylase (TP), uridine phosphorylase (UP), and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) were measured by separation on ion-exchange filter paper, by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection and by HPLC with radioactive flow monitoring, respectively, and the [H-3]-5-fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate binding site in thymidylate synthetase (TS) was determined as an index of the amount of TS using a radiobinding assay. The TS inhibition rate (TSIR) was calculated from the formula: 1-(TSfree/TStotal)X100Finally, 5-FU incorporation into RNA (FRNA) was measured by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: In group A patients, FRNA showed a positive correlation only with OPRT, and TSIR showed positive correlations with OPRT and TP, but a negative correlation with TS. In group B patients, FRNA showed a negative correlation with DPD, and TSIR showed a negative correlation with TS. No difference in TSIR levels was seen between groups A and B. FRNA was higher in group A than in group B, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The method of administration may influence 5-FU metabolism in colon carcinoma patients.