5-fluorouracil + floxuridine

This is a combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and floxuridine (FUdR), both of which are antimetabolite agents classified as pyrimidine analogs. The combination is typically administered via continuous infusion, either intravenously or regionally (such as hepatic arterial infusion), for the treatment of advanced cancers—most notably gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma metastatic to the liver and colorectal cancer with liver metastases[1][2][4]. Both drugs interfere with DNA synthesis by inhibiting thymidylate synthase, thereby blocking the methylation of deoxyuridylic acid to thymidylic acid during DNA synthesis. Floxuridine is rapidly converted in vivo to 5-fluorouracil, so their mechanisms overlap but may provide additive or synergistic effects when used together[3]. This regimen has been studied in phase I/II trials for its safety and efficacy profile; dose-limiting toxicities include gastrointestinal side effects such as enteritis and stomatitis[1][2].

Brand names

FUDR (for floxuridine)Adrucil (for fluorouracil)

Other names

5-FU + FUdRfluorouracil + floxuridine