S1???

Nicola0821
Nicola0821 Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi..so this is my first time posting a message here. I've browsed the website but for some reason I could never post a message. However, I have read you stories and am just amazed with the courage and strength you all have as you face this battle. I admire you all.
So this is my story or rather my breif synopsis...My dad has stage IV colon cancer that mestatsized to his liver...was then successfully reseceted followed with avastin chemo. It has now reoccured in the tissue of his pelvis. He is on the Ct-11 treatment (one light week, one heavy week). At first it was successful and the tumor shrunk but now it has been two cat-scans and no changes. The Doctor says that if it doesn't improve then he will have him take this pill S1...I guess it's popular in Japan. Anyone heard of this treatment??

Comments

  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #2
    I have never heard of this treatment, but I head to MD Anderson on Monday for my continuing treatment and will ask my oncologist about it.

    I wish you and your father the best of luck. This site is a great source of information, support and strenth to battle this disease for both the survivor and the caregiver. I'm glad you posted.

    Kerry
  • HowardJ
    HowardJ Member Posts: 474
    #3
    Hi,

    I haven't heard of it but just did a search on pubmed--your query peaked my curiosity. I searched on "S1 and cancer" if you want to give it a try. Several references came up.

    If I understand it correctly it's a combination of an oral version of a drug which becomes 5FU in the body(a commonly used anti-cancer drug for colon cancer)plus another drug which inhibits the enzymes in the gut which break down 5FU. The intent is to increase the level of drug.

    Howard
  • Nicola0821
    Nicola0821 Member Posts: 7
    #4
    HowardJ said:

    Hi,

    I haven't heard of it but just did a search on pubmed--your query peaked my curiosity. I searched on "S1 and cancer" if you want to give it a try. Several references came up.

    If I understand it correctly it's a combination of an oral version of a drug which becomes 5FU in the body(a commonly used anti-cancer drug for colon cancer)plus another drug which inhibits the enzymes in the gut which break down 5FU. The intent is to increase the level of drug.

    Howard

    Thanks for your help. I have also been trying to do some reasearch on Up to Date (another good source online). I'll let you know what i find
  • Pewter
    Pewter Member Posts: 24
    #5
    S1 is an oral fluoropyrimadine drug, like xeloda (the original oral 5 F/U). It differs from xeloda in that it has additional components (2 others in addition to the 5 F/U component) that prolong its half-life, as well as decrease its toxicity somewhat. There has been alot of use of the drug in Japan, not only for colon cancer, but other GI cancers as well. Unfortunately, when you do go to the literature and read these Japanese studies, the conclusions and effectiveness of the drug "appear" absolutely astounding; however, much of the literature site very small studies or case reports. The drug is available in some Phase III studies here to look at the real effect it may have (and the assumption that it would work better than 5 F/U seems reasonable since it is made to sit around longer to do its work).

    Most importantly, since there is alot known about the 5 F/U drugs and their effectiveness with colon cancer, a type S1) that is able to act longer, yet have less side effects is clearly advantageous.

    Hope that helps.

    Cindy
  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #6
    Pewter said:

    S1 is an oral fluoropyrimadine drug, like xeloda (the original oral 5 F/U). It differs from xeloda in that it has additional components (2 others in addition to the 5 F/U component) that prolong its half-life, as well as decrease its toxicity somewhat. There has been alot of use of the drug in Japan, not only for colon cancer, but other GI cancers as well. Unfortunately, when you do go to the literature and read these Japanese studies, the conclusions and effectiveness of the drug "appear" absolutely astounding; however, much of the literature site very small studies or case reports. The drug is available in some Phase III studies here to look at the real effect it may have (and the assumption that it would work better than 5 F/U seems reasonable since it is made to sit around longer to do its work).

    Most importantly, since there is alot known about the 5 F/U drugs and their effectiveness with colon cancer, a type S1) that is able to act longer, yet have less side effects is clearly advantageous.

    Hope that helps.

    Cindy

    Cindy,

    Great explanation. Thanks. My doctor at MD Anderson in Houston says they are working on several new drugs which should appear soon. It is certainly encouraging for those of us hoping to be around long enough to find the one drug that cures us.

    Thanks for the information.

    Kerry

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