title: Irinotecan, fluorouracil and folinic acid (FOLFIRI) as effective treatment combination for patients with advanced gastric cancer in poor clinical condition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Irinotecan (CPT-11) has been tested as a single agent in several studies, and response rates of 18-23% have been reported in first-line gastric cancer therapy. In the present study we report the safety and efficacy results combining CPT-11 with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty consecutive patients with metastatic gastric cancer, considered in poor clinical condition, were treated with CPT-11 and 5-FU/FA according to the FOLFIRI regimen. All enrolled cases were evaluable for toxicity and drug activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main grade 3-4 toxicity (according to the NCI-CTC criteria) was neutropenia (16%, grade 4 in 1 patient); non-hematological grade 3 toxicity consisted mainly in vomiting and diarrhea reported in 1 patient. No treatment-related serious adverse events were observed. Response was obtained in 12 patients (40%), stable disease in 2 patients (7%), while progression was documented in 16 patients (53%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results are very promising, and suggest that the combination of CPT-11 plus 5-FU/FA is active and well tolerated and can be considered as useful treatment in patients with metastatic gastric cancer in poor clinical condition.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit 2, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beretta
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Bartolomeo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buzzoni
authors.forename: Erminia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferrario
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.forename: Arpine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gevorgyan
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bajetta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin