title: Paclitaxel, carboplatin, and oral etoposide in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma: association with severe myelotoxicity.
abstract: The prognosis of locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach is poor. In an attempt to improve therapeutic results, we undertook a phase II trial to investigate a combination of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and oral etoposide, all active drugs in this malignancy and with a synergistic effect in combination. Fourteen patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were treated with paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 iv, carboplatin AUC-6 iv on d 1, and oral etoposide 50 mg/d alternating with 100 mg/d on d 1-10. Cycles were repeated every 3 wk. Of the 14 patients treated, partial response was observed in 3/12 (25%) evaluable patients. Median survival for the entire group was 7 mo. The treatment was associated with severe myelotoxicity. Neutropenic fever that required hospitalization developed in 7/14 (50%) of patients, and symptomatic anemia that required red blood cell transfusion was noted in 8/14 (57%). There was one drug-related death associated with neutropenic fever, Gram negative sepsis, grade 4 thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Nonhematological toxicity was moderate. We conclude that the current regimen of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and oral etoposide is not recommended in advanced gastric carcinoma owing to unacceptable myelotoxicity.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel