Combination chemotherapy comprising 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, etoposide, and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The FLEP regimen (5-FU, LV, ETP, and CDDP) has been recommended as a combination chemotherapy to control advanced and recurrent gastric cancer. We performed a phase II study of this regimen in 49 patients with advanced gastric cancer.


METHODS
The treatment regimen consisted of: 5-FU at 370 mg/m(2) (days 1-5, i.v. 24 h); LV at a dose of 30 mg (days 1-5, i.v. bolus); and ETP and CDDP each at 70 mg/m(2) (days 7 and 21, i.a. 2 h), which was repeated every five weeks.


RESULTS
The overall response rate was 40.8% (20/49 patients) and the median survival time was 12.6 months (range 1.1-41.8). The adverse events were Grade 3/4 leukocytopenia (16.3%), Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (8.2%), Grade 3 nausea and/or vomiting (4.1%), and Grade 3 stomatitis (2.0%).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the encouraging response rate and prognosis, we recommend applying the FLEP regimen to patients with primary advanced gastric cancer.
Mochizuki
Fumiro
F
Third Department of Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikami-machi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan. fumiro@jcom.home.ne.jp
Fujii
Masashi
M
Kasakura
Yuichi
Y
Yamagata
Motoo
M
Kochi
Mitsugu
M
Wakabayashi
Kazuhiko
K
Kanamori
Noriaki
N
Takayama
Tadatoshi
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate
D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil