Effect of tegafur on oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Chemotherapy with 2g of tegafur suppository (Sunfural^® rectal capsules) was performed in 20 cases with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The clinical and histological effects, blood level and side effects were examined.
The results obtained were as follows ;
1) The overall response rate was 37.5% with 6 cases having a partial response (≥50% regression) .
2) Histological grading of the primary tumor according to Shimosato et al. was from grade I to IVC.
3) Blood levels were examined in 6 cases, and the mean level of tegafur and 5-FU 4 h after administration of 1 g of tegafur suppository were 34.2 μg/ml and 80.1 ng/ml, respectively.
4) Side effects were observed in 72.2% of the cases.