Multicenter phase II study of weekly paclitaxel plus cisplatin combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Since a weekly administration of paclitaxel has demonstrated a sustained efficacy and more favorable toxicity profile than a 3-weekly administration for various solid tumors, the present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination regimen of weekly paclitaxel plus cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer.


METHODS
Patients with previously untreated metastatic or recurrent, measurable gastric cancer received intravenous paclitaxel 100 mg/m(2) plus cisplatin 35 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 based on a 3-week cycle.


RESULTS
Fifty-two patients were enrolled in the current study. Two complete responses and 17 partial responses were confirmed, giving an overall response rate of 36.5%. At a median follow-up of 8.5 months, the median time to progression and median overall survival was 6.0 and 10.8 months, respectively. Grade 3 neutropenia occurred in ten patients, while no grade 4 neutropenia or febrile neutropenia was observed. The most common non-hematologic toxicity was nausea (grade 1/2, 56.9%). There were no treatment-related deaths.


CONCLUSIONS
A weekly paclitaxel and cisplatin combination was found to be well-tolerated and effective in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Accordingly, this regimen can be regarded as an important first-line treatment option for advanced gastric cancer.
Kim
Jong Gwang
JG
Department of Oncology/Hematology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Sohn
Sang Kyun
SK
Song
Hong Suk
HS
Kwon
Ki-Young
KY
Do
Young Rok
YR
Lee
Kyung Hee
KH
Hyun
Myung Soo
MS
Ryoo
Hun Mo
HM
Bae
Sung Hwa
SH
Park
Keon Uk
KU
Baek
Jin Ho
JH
Lee
Won Sik
WS
Chung
Joo Seop
JS
Cho
Goon Jae
GJ
Sohn
Chang-Hak
CH
Jang
Jung Soon
JS
Chung
Ho Young
HY
Yu
Wansik
W
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012008:Recurrence; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate
D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin