Abstract: Objective To observer the clinical effects of raltitrexed combined with oxaliplatin or irinotecan as second-line chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer. Methods Out of twenty five patients enrolled, seventeen patients received raltitrexed 3 mg/m² as a 15-min infusion, followed by oxaliplatin 130 mg/m² as a 2-hour infusion, and nine patients received raltitrexed 2.6 mg/m² as a 15-min infusion, followed by irinotecan 300 mg/m² as a 90-min infusion. Results The overall response rate of raltitrexed combined with oxaliplatin or irinotecan was 24%(6/25), and disease control rate was 68%(17/25). The median time of progression-free survival was 5.3 months. The most common adverse reactions were leucopenia/neutropenia decline, fatigue, appetite decrease and hepatic disorders, with incidence rates of 64%, 52%, 56%, 48%, and 56%, respectively, which mainly be graded Ⅰ to Ⅱ. Conclusion Raltitrexed combined with oxaliplatin or irinotecan as second-line chemotherapy has a high efficacy with acceptable tolerability, therefore being worth recommending for advanced colorectal cancer.

Key words: second-line chemotherapy, raltitrexed, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, colorectal cancer