fluorouracil + leucovorin

Fluorouracil + leucovorin is a combination chemotherapy regimen primarily used in the treatment of colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies. Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antimetabolite that inhibits thymidylate synthase, thereby disrupting DNA synthesis and leading to cell death. Leucovorin (folinic acid) is a reduced form of folic acid that enhances the binding of 5-FU’s active metabolite (5-FdUMP) to thymidylate synthase, increasing the cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. This combination allows for greater efficacy than fluorouracil alone[1][2][3][4][6]. The regimen is widely used as first-line therapy for advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer.

Brand names

ActikerallCaracEfudexFluoroplexTolak

Other names

5-fluorouracil5-FUfolinic acidcalcium folinatecitrovorum factor