Retrospective Evaluation of 5-FU Exposure Optimization in CRC Patients

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether the management of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) exposure optimization testing reduces 5-FU related toxicities and improves outcomes compared to the current standard of care. A secondary objective is to characterize the variability of 5-FU levels among CRC patients managed with 5-FU exposure optimization testing and the impact of such management on 5-FU plasma levels and drug doses during the course of chemotherapy.

This is a multi-center retrospective matched cohort study of early and late stage CRC patients who received 5-FU doses determined using body surface area (BSA) and in patients who underwent pharmacokinetically (PK)-guided 5-FU dose monitoring and adjustment. A retrospective chart / electronic medical record review of colorectal cancer patients treated with infusional 5-FU regimens between May 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013, satisfying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, will be performed. In this multi-center study, patients who underwent PK-testing during at least two different 5-FU administrations will be matched to patients who received doses based on their BSA, treated at the same institution. Matching for selection of the BSA cohort at each site will be done using the following criteria (based on factors that may influence 5-FU metabolism): age, gender, disease stage, prior chemotherapy treatment, and 5-FU containing treatment regimen being used. Each patient will be assigned a random five-digit Study ID number to protect patient confidentiality. Minimal medical history/demographics data will be collected from the patient's medical records / clinic chart using paper case report forms (CRFs). The data to be collected from each patient's records will include: patient demographics (i.e. gender, age, height, and race), colorectal cancer diagnosis (i.e. date of primary diagnosis, tumor stage, grade, histology and phenotype, and date of metastatic diagnosis and sites of metastases if applicable), use of prior therapies for treatment of CRC, 5-FU containing regimen details throughout the 5-FU treatment (i.e. weight, BSA, ECOG status, doses of each drug used in the regimen, and 5-FU infusion start/stop dates and times), 5-FU PK testing results (if applicable), concomitant procedures and medications, CBC and chemistry testing results, adverse events experienced during 5-FU therapy regimen, and tumor response and follow-up information. Patients will not be contacted for the purposes of this study and a waiver of HIPAA authorization will be requested from the appropriate IRB. Once data has been collected and monitored, all records tying the random Study ID number to a specific patient at the sites will be destroyed, rendering all information de-identified.