Oral etoposide as second-line chemotherapy for colorectal cancer: a GISCAD study. Gruppo Italiano Studio Carcinomi Apparato Digerente.

Twenty-one patients with advanced colorectal cancer, all previously pretreated with a fluoropyrimidine-based regimen, received oral etoposide: 100 mg/die for 21 consecutive days, every three weeks. No objective response was achieved; 6 pts had a short-lasting stabilization of their disease. Toxicity was substantial and mainly represented by myelosuppression and alopecia. Protracted administration of etoposide is inactive as second-line treatment of colorectal cancer.