Single-agent irinotecan as second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the activity and toxicity of irinotecan (CPT-11) as a single agent in patients with advanced gastric cancer after failure of previous 5-fluorouracil-based combination chemotherapy.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with advanced gastric received CPT-11, 350 mg/m2 every 21 days. The median age of the patients was 54.6 years; ECOG performance status was 0-1 in 14 patients and 2 in 2 patients. Dominant metastatic sites included liver, lung, lymph nodes and peritoneum.


RESULTS
No complete response was observed. Two patients (12.5%) achieved a partial response to treatment. One patient (6.25%) had a minor response. Ten patients (62.5%) had progressive disease on therapy, and 3 patients (18.75%) had stable disease. The median survival of all 16 patients was 5 months. Grade 3 neutropenia was observed in 3 patients (18.75%), grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 1 patient (6.25%), and grade 3 anemia in 1 patient (6.25%). Three patients (18.75%) suffered from grade 3 diarrhea.


CONCLUSIONS
CPT-11 is moderately active and a well-tolerated regimen for selected advanced gastric cancer patients who experience disease progression after receiving first-line treatment.
Kanat
Ozkan
O
Department of Medical Oncology, Uludag University, Faculty of Medicine, Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey. ozkanat@uludag.edu.tr
Evrensel
Turkkan
T
Manavoglu
Osman
O
Demiray
Mutlu
M
Kurt
Ender
E
Gonullu
Guzin
G
Kiyici
Murat
M
Arslan
Murat
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002166:Camptothecin