Evaluation of two consecutive regimens in advanced gastric cancer.
Treatment of gastric cancer still presents a challenge in cancer chemotherapy. In our Institute, from January 1981 to November 1984, 45 patients were given 5-fluorouracil (5FU) 600 mg/m2 Days 1, 8, 29, and 36; doxorubicin (A) 30 mg/m2 Days 1 and 29; mitomycin-C 10 mg/m2 Day 1 (FAM regimen) every 8 weeks. From December 1984 to October 1986, 26 patients were treated with 5FU 300 mg/m2 on Days 1-5, A 40 mg/m2 on Day 1, cisplatin (P) 100 mg/m2 on Day 1 (FAP regimen) every 3 weeks. In the FAM group, 42 patients are evaluable for response; 5 (12%) partial remission (PR), 9 stable disease (SD), and 28 progressions (PRO) were observed. Median duration of response (MDR) was 21 weeks (range 13-45) and the median survival (MS) in the whole group was 27 weeks. In the FAP group, 23 patients are evaluable: 2 CR (9%), 11 PR (47%), 2 SD (9%), and 8 PRO (34%) were observed; CR duration was 24 and 107+ weeks, respectively, MDR of PR was 22 weeks (5-35). The MS of all patients was 16 weeks. Toxicity (WHO criteria) was mild in the FAM group and severe in the FAP group. In spite of a higher objective response rate, the short MS and the severe toxicity observed in the FAP group do not merit recommendation of this regimen in patients with gastric cancer; therefore neither FAM nor FAP appear to be an ideal standard therapy.
Figoli
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Division of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano (PN), Italy.
Galligioni
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Crivellari
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Frustaci
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Talamini
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Sorio
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Saracchini
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Tumolo
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Lo Re
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Monfardini
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D016685:Mitomycin; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil