Gastrointestinal dysfunction and enteric neurotoxicity following treatment with anticancer chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil

摘要

BackgroundThe use of the anticancer chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is often limited by nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea; these side-effects persist long after treatment. The effects of 5-FU on enteric neurons have not been studied and may provide insight into the mechanisms underlying 5-FU-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction.