A case of metastatic rectal cancer showing a sustained complete response to chemotherapy with FOLFIRI followed by UFT

The FOLFIRI regimen (irinotecan in combination with bolus and continuous infusion of 5-FU and l-LV) and FOLFOX regimen (oxaliplatin/5-FU/LV therapy) are now standard chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer in Western countries. Combining those regimens, a median overall survival time (MST) of over 20 months has been reached. However, adverse reactions related to those regimens have included deteriorating patient quality of life (QOL). Here, we report a case of metastatic rectal cancer showing a complete response (CR) to cycle 4 in FOLFIRI regimen, while maintaining a CR status for over 11 months and good QOL, as a result of chemotherapy with 4 cycles of FOLFIRI followed by UFT.