Phase II trial of cisplatin and gemcitabine in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
This phase II study was performed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin and gemcitabine in patients with advanced gastric cancer.


METHODS
Forty chemo-naïve patients with measurable locoregionally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer were included; the median patient age was 53 years (range 35-71). Cisplatin was administered at a dose of 50 mg/m2, given in 1 h intravenously (i.v.) on days 1 and 8, followed after 24 h by gemcitabine at a dose of 800 mg/m2 given in 30 min i.v. on days 2, 9 and 16, every 28 days.


RESULTS
A median number of four therapy cycles were given (range 2-8). Myelosuppresion was the most important toxicity. Grade 3-4 thrombopenia was observed in 19 patients (48%) and grade 3-4 leukopenia was observed in 23 (58%). Myelotoxicity was cumulative and caused omission of gemcitabine on day 16 in 55% of cycles. Non-haematological toxicity consisted mainly of grade 1-2 nausea and vomiting. Objective responses were observed in 30% of patients including two complete remissions and 10 partial remissions. Median survival was 11 months (range 3-27+).


CONCLUSIONS
This cisplatin-gemcitabine regimen had moderate efficacy in patients with advanced gastric cancer, with manageable toxicity. Further studies with this combination may be warranted.
De Lange
S M
SM
Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van Groeningen
C J
CJ
Kroep
J R
JR
Van Bochove
A
A
Snijders
J F
JF
Peters
G J
GJ
Pinedo
H M
HM
Giaccone
G
G
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine