leucovorin + 5-fluorouracil

Leucovorin + 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a synergistic chemotherapy combination widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly colorectal cancer. In this specific context, the combination is utilized as a foundational component of the FOLFOXIRI regimen (which also includes oxaliplatin and irinotecan) in clinical trials sponsored by Akeso. It is being evaluated in combination with ivonescimab (AK112), a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and VEGF, for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma. 5-fluorouracil is a pyrimidine analog that acts as an antimetabolite, primarily inhibiting thymidylate synthase to disrupt DNA synthesis. Leucovorin (folinic acid) acts as a biochemical modulator; it is converted to 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate, which stabilizes the binding of the 5-FU metabolite FdUMP to thymidylate synthase, thereby significantly enhancing the cytotoxic inhibition of DNA synthesis.

Brand names

AdrucilWellcovorin

Other names

5-FU + LV5-FU + leucovorinfluorouracil + leucovorinleucovorin + 5-FUfolinic acid + 5-fluorouracil