5-FLUOROURACIL IN THE TREATMENT OF SCLERODERMA - A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO CONTROLLED INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE STUDY

A six month controlled study of 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of scieroderma showed a modest benefit in skin scores, Raynaud's phenomenon, and patients' global assessment. Visceral organ and hand function were unaffected. Mild to moderate toxicity was common in the 5-fluorouracil treated patients but usually responded to dose reduction. Two patients receiving 5-fluorouracil died from causes seemingly unrelated to treatment. Significant clinical improvement in scleroderma was not noted in the first six months of treatment with 5-fluorouracil.