Does anyone know a patient who has received 5-FU chemo but has the DPD
Enzyme deficiency?
A deficiency for the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme leaves
some patients at risk from developing severe toxicity due to the
administration of 5FU containing chemotherapy.  My father was being treated
for Colon Cancer 2 1/2 years ago and nearly died from the toxic effect on
his body.  Unfortunately, now the cancer is back (spread) and dad has
already had radiation, so that's no longer a viable option.  The Chemo
doctor here is trying to convince dad to try the 5FU again in combination
with another drug, but because dad is pre-dispositioned to toxicity (he is
from the Netherlands, and he has reacted badly before), he is adamant about
not accepting the 5FU treatment.

I have read that CPT-11 and other drugs could be an alternative, but the
Cancer Clinic has not suggested these drugs because they say that 5FU is the
best for dad's type of cancer.  Dad is 75 years old, in relatively good
health, and has a colostomy (Jan '04).  Currently he is experiencing a lot
of pain and is constantly on Morphine XR and IR.

Does anyone have any experience with this?