FOLFIRI is an abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat advanced colorectal cancer that has spread. It includes the drugs leucovorin calcium (folinic acid), fluorouracil, and irinotecan hydrochloride.
Cisplatin
Image by National Cancer Institute / Larry Ostby (Photographer)
FOLFIRI Chemotherapy
Cisplatin crystals, which is a platinum compound, and used as a chemotherapy drug.
Image by Larry Ostby (Photographer)
Cisplatin crystals, which is a platinum compound, and used as a chemotherapy drug.
Image by Larry Ostby (Photographer)
What Is FOLFIRI Chemotherapy?
This chemotherapy combination contains the drugs leucovorin calcium (folinic acid), fluorouracil, and irinotecan hydrochloride. Combinations usually work better than single drugs because different drugs kill cancer cells in different ways.
Drugs in the FOLFIRI combination:
FOL
= Leucovorin Calcium (Folinic Acid)
F
= Fluorouracil
IRI
= Irinotecan Hydrochloride
Each of the drugs in this combination is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat cancer or conditions related to cancer.
Use in Cancer
FOLFIRI is used to treat:
Colorectal cancer.
This combination may also be used with other drugs or treatments or to treat other types of cancer.
Leucovorin is a prescription medicine used alone or with other drugs to treat certain types of colorectal cancer and anemia and to lessen the toxic effects of the anticancer drug methotrexate or other substances that block the action of folic acid. Leucovorin is a form of folic acid.
Leucovorin Injection
Also called: Leucovorin Calcium
Leucovorin is a prescription medicine used alone or with other drugs to treat certain types of colorectal cancer and anemia and to lessen the toxic effects of the anticancer drug methotrexate or other substances that block the action of folic acid. Leucovorin is a form of folic acid.
Leucovorin calcium is a type of drug called a folic acid analog, which means it is similar to the vitamin folic acid. It is used in combination with certain chemotherapy drugs to enhance their ability to kill cancer cells (for example, fluorouracil) or to lessen their harmful side effects (for example, methotrexate). It is a type of chemoprotective agent and a type of chemosensitizing agent. Leucovorin is the active ingredient of leucovorin calcium. Also called citrovorum factor and folinic acid.
Leucovorin calcium is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:
Colorectal cancer. It is used with fluorouracil as palliative treatment in patients with advanced disease.
Anemia. It is used to treat megaloblastic anemia that occurs when the body does not get enough of a vitamin called folic acid. It is used by patients who cannot take the vitamin by mouth.
Leucovorin calcium is also used to prevent and treat the toxic effects of high-dose methotrexate when used to treat osteosarcoma and other types of cancer. It is also used to treat overdoses of methotrexate or other folic acid antagonists.
The drug is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.
Leucovorin Calcium - NCI. National Cancer Institute. Aug 21, 2008 [accessed on Nov 09, 2023]
Leucovorin Injection. MedlinePlus/AHFS® Drug Information. [accessed on Oct 29, 2018]
These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Leucovorin Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.
F = Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil Injection
Also called: Adrucil®, 5-Fluorouracil, 5-FU
Fluorouracil (Adrucil) is a prescription medicine used to treat cancer of the colon, rectum, breast, stomach, or pancreas. It is given as an injection into the vein (IV), or as an infusion. Fluorouracil is a type of antimetabolite.
Fluorouracil Injection
Also called: Adrucil®, 5-Fluorouracil, 5-FU
Fluorouracil (Adrucil) is a prescription medicine used to treat cancer of the colon, rectum, breast, stomach, or pancreas. It is given as an injection into the vein (IV), or as an infusion. Fluorouracil is a type of antimetabolite.
Fluorouracil is a type of chemotherapy drug called an antimetabolite. It mimics one of the building blocks of RNA and DNA, which disrupts the ability of the cells to make DNA and proteins. This slows or stops the growth of cancer cells and other rapidly dividing cells and causes them to die.
Fluorouracil injection is approved to treat:
Breast cancer.
Colorectal cancer.
Gastric (stomach) cancer.
Pancreatic cancer.
Fluorouracil is also called 5-FU. Fluorouracil is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.
Fluorouracil is also available in a topical form.
Fluorouracil Injection - NCI. National Cancer Institute. Apr 13, 2007 [accessed on Nov 09, 2023]
ADRUCIL (fluorouracil) injection, solution [accessed on Aug 15, 2019]
Fluorouracil Injection. MedlinePlus/AHFS® Drug Information. [accessed on Oct 29, 2018]
These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Fluorouracil Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.
Additional Materials (6)
Bowen's disease plaque
Bowen's disease typically presents as a gradually enlarging, well-demarcated red colored plaque with an irregular border and surface crusting or scaling. Bowen's disease may occur at any age in adults, but is rare before the age of 30 years; most patients are aged over 60. Any site may be affected, although involvement of palms or soles is uncommon. Bowen's disease occurs predominantly in women (70–85% of cases). About 60–85% of patients have lesions on the lower leg, usually in previously or presently sun-exposed areas of skin.
This is a persistent, progressive, unelevated, red, scaly or crusted plaque which is due to an intraepidermal carcinoma and is potentially malignant. The lesions may occur anywhere on the skin surface, including on mucosal surfaces. Freezing, cauterization, or diathermy coagulation is often effective treatment. Pathomorphologic study of tissue sampling revealed: polymorphism of spiny epithelial cells has progressed into atypism; increased mitosis; giant and multinucleate cells; acanthosis; hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis; basal membrane and basal layer are retained.
Causes Edit
Causes of Bowen's disease include solar damage, arsenic, immunosuppression (including AIDS), viral infection (human papillomavirus or HPV), chronic skin injury, and other dermatoses.[4]
Histology Edit
In Bowen's disease, atypical squamous cells proliferate through the whole thickness of the epidermis. The entire tumor is confined to the epidermis and does not invade into the dermis. The cells in Bowen's disease are often highly atypical under the microscope, and may in fact look more unusual than the cells of some invasive squamous cell carcinomas.
Bowen's disease as seen under a microscope
Bowen disease (2).jpg
Bowen disease (3).jpg
Bowen disease (4).jpg
Treatment Edit
Photodynamic therapy, cryotherapy (freezing), or local chemotherapy (with 5-fluorouracil) are favored by some clinicians over excision. Because the cells of Bowen's disease have not invaded the dermis, it has a much better prognosis than invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
Good results have been noted with the use of imiquimod for Bowen's disease, including on the penis (erythroplasia of Queyrat), although imiquimod is not (as of 2013) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of any type of squamous cell carcinoma, and serious side effects can occur with use of imiquimod.
References Edit
^ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
Image by Masryyy/Wikimedia
Severe Toxicity Under 5- Fluorouracil-Based Therapy
Video by Mayo Proceedings/YouTube
Fluorouracil and Pet Safety | How You Can Keep Your Pets Safe When Using 5-FU
Video by U.S. Food and Drug Administration/YouTube
What is FEC and Docetaxel combination chemotherapy and what are its side effects? | OncoPower
Video by OncoPower/YouTube
What is FEC chemotherapy and what are its side effects? | OncoPower
Video by OncoPower/YouTube
What is FEC and Paclitaxel combination chemotherapy and what are its side effects? | OncoPower
Video by OncoPower/YouTube
Bowen's disease plaque
Masryyy/Wikimedia
4:47
Severe Toxicity Under 5- Fluorouracil-Based Therapy
Mayo Proceedings/YouTube
4:43
Fluorouracil and Pet Safety | How You Can Keep Your Pets Safe When Using 5-FU
U.S. Food and Drug Administration/YouTube
5:57
What is FEC and Docetaxel combination chemotherapy and what are its side effects? | OncoPower
OncoPower/YouTube
6:13
What is FEC chemotherapy and what are its side effects? | OncoPower
OncoPower/YouTube
5:59
What is FEC and Paclitaxel combination chemotherapy and what are its side effects? | OncoPower
OncoPower/YouTube
IRI = Irinotecan Hydrochloride
Irinotecan Injection
Also called: Camptosar®, CPT-11, Irinotecan Hydrochloride
Irinotecan hydrochloride (Camptosar) is a prescription medicine used alone or with other drugs to treat certain adults with colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is a type of chemotherapy medicine called a topoisomerase I inhibitor.
Irinotecan Injection
Also called: Camptosar®, CPT-11, Irinotecan Hydrochloride
Irinotecan hydrochloride (Camptosar) is a prescription medicine used alone or with other drugs to treat certain adults with colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is a type of chemotherapy medicine called a topoisomerase I inhibitor.
Irinotecan hydrochloride is a prescription medicine used alone or with other drugs to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in patients whose cancer has not already been treated or whose cancer has recurred (come back) or has gotten worse after treatment with anticancer drugs that included fluorouracil. Irinotecan hydrochloride blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair, and it may kill cancer cells. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor and a type of camptothecin analog. Irinotecan is the active ingredient of irinotecan hydrochloride. Also called Camptosar and CPT 11.
Irinotecan hydrochloride is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:
Colorectal cancer that has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body), including metastatic cancer that has recurred (come back) or has not gotten better with other chemotherapy.
Irinotecan hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
Irinotecan hydrochloride is also available in a different form called irinotecan hydrochloride liposome.
Irinotecan Hydrochloride - NCI. National Cancer Institute. Apr 20, 2007 [accessed on Oct 03, 2023]
Irinotecan Injection. MedlinePlus/AHFS® Drug Information. [accessed on Oct 29, 2018]
These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Irinotecan Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.
Possible Side Effects
Cisplatin
Image by National Cancer Institute / Larry Ostby (Photographer)
Cisplatin
Cisplatin crystals, which is a platinum compound, and used as a chemotherapy drug.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Larry Ostby (Photographer)
Possible Side Effects of FOLFIRI (Leucovorin, 5-Fluorouracil, Irinotecan)
COMMON, SOME MAY BE SERIOUS In 100 people receiving FOLFIRI (Leucovorin, 5-Fluorouracil, Irinotecan), more than 20 and up to 100 may have:
Cholingeric syndrome, which may cause increased sweating, flushed skin, watering eyes, stuffy nose, drooling
Shortness of breath
Infection, especially when white blood cell count is low
Bruising, bleeding or internal bleeding which may cause black tarry stools
Anemia which may require a blood transfusion
Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss
Sores in mouth which may cause difficulty swallowing
Swelling and redness at the site of medication injection
Hand-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia) redness, pain or peeling of palms and soles
Rash, increased risk of sunburn, itching, blisters on the skin, dry skin
Fever, pain
Tiredness, weakness, dizziness
Hair loss
OCCASIONAL, SOME MAY BE SERIOUS In 100 people receiving FOLFIRI (Leucovorin, 5-Fluorouracil, Irinotecan), from 4 to 20 may have:
Chest pain
Abnormal heartbeat which may cause fainting
Stroke, which may cause paralysis, weakness, headache
Swelling of the body
Low blood pressure which may cause feeling faint
Altered mental status, confusion, disorientation, intense feelings of joy, difficulty walking and balancing, coma
Scarring of the lungs
Cough
Allergic reaction which may cause rash, low blood pressure, wheezing, shortness of breath, swelling of the face or throat
Blood clot which may cause swelling, pain, shortness of breath
Yellowing of eyes and skin
Visual disturbances, abnormal eye movement, discomfort from light, watering eyes
Dehydration
Sores in stomach which may cause belly pain
Heartburn, passing gas, abdominal swelling
Difficulty sleeping or drowsiness
Headache, chills
Stuffy nose
Change in skin or nails
RARE, AND SERIOUS In 100 people receiving FOLFIRI (Leucovorin, 5-Fluorouracil, Irinotecan), 3 or fewer may have:
Heart attack or heart failure, which may cause shortness of breath, swelling of ankles, and tiredness
Kidney damage which may cause swelling, may require dialysis
Stevens-Johnson syndrome which may cause severe skin rash with blisters and peeling which can involve the mouth and other parts of the body
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FOLFIRI Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer
FOLFIRI is an abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat advanced colorectal cancer that has spread. It includes the drugs leucovorin calcium (folinic acid), fluorouracil, and irinotecan hydrochloride.