Drug concentration in lymph nodes after preoperative administration of UFT (a blend of Tegafur and uracil) for non-small-cell lung cancer

Abstract

Background. UFT a blend of uracil and Tegafur (1-[2-tetrahydrofuryl]-5 fluorouracil), molar ratio, 4 : 1 is an antitumor agent for oral administration that is presumed to maintain the concentration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in tumor tissue. The concentration of 5-FU achieved with UFT in lymph node metastases has, however, not yet been examined; in this study we aimed to clarify the transfer of 5-FU to lymph node metastases in patients treated with UFT. Methods. The subjects were 21 patients with primary nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tegafur (600 mg per day), in the form of UFT-E (UFT enteric-coated granules), was administered for 7 days prior to surgery. At the time of lobectomy and lymphadenectomy, 0.3-g tissue specimens were collected from the primary lung tumor, normal lung, lymph node metastases, and normal lymph nodes. The concentrations of Tegafur and 5-FU in each sample were measured. Results. The concentration of 5-FU in lymph node metastases was 63.5 Ϯ 11.6 ng/g, which was greater than the minimum effective tissue concentration (50 ng/g), and was significantly higher than the concentration in normal lymph nodes (P ϭ 0.0053). The concentration of 5-FU in the tumor (50.7 Ϯ 9.7 ng/g) was also greater than the minimum effective tissue concentration, and was significantly higher than the concentration in normal lung tissue (P ϭ 0.0193). No serious side effects were observed during the administration of UFT-E. Conclusions. We concluded that UFT would be useful as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent in patients with NSCLC and lymph node metastases, considering the excellent transfer of 5-FU to lymph node metastases during treatment with UFT.

Enhanced Induction of Apoptosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma After Preoperative Chemotherapy with Tegafur and Uracil (UFT)

“…9 The higher 5-FU concentrations found in cancerous tissues after the administration of UFT can be explained as follows. 17,18 1.…”

“…8 As a result, when UFT is given, a desirable 5-FU concentration in tumor tissues and metastatic lymph node tissues can be maintained over a long period. 9 The pathogenesis of the tumor growth inhibition induced by long-term UFT treatment is considered to be related to a progression of apoptotic induction and a reduction of mitotic activity. 10 Tanaka et al reported that the apoptotic index (AI) was useful for predicting the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant therapy using UFT in patients with NSCLC.…”