In excess of 500 patients with far-advanced adenocarcinoma of gastrointestinal tract origin have received palliative treatment with one or more chemotherapeutic agents. Nine separate protocols have been used with objective remissions determined by significant decrease in size of measurable lesions known to contain carcinoma. The following remission rate occurred:
Fluorinated pyrimidine therapy: 5-FU study of slow versus rapid administration: rapid, 9/45 (20%), slow, 5/45 (11%); 5-FU versus 5-FUDR study: 5-FU, 10/84 (12%), 5-FUDR, 19/84 (23%); oxylone-5-FU study (data as of October, 1964. Additional cases will be reported in March, 1965.) oxylone alone, 3/26 (12%); 5-FU alone, 3/32 (9%), oxylone and