title: Docetaxel: in gastric cancer.
abstract: Docetaxel is a taxane analogue that inhibits microtubule disassembly and, in cultured gastric cancer cells, induces apoptosis-associated binding activity of the transcription factor activating protein-1, and activates the proapoptotic genes BCL2L1 and BAX. In patients with metastatic or locally advanced/recurrent gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, the median time to tumour progression was significantly prolonged with 3-week cycles of intravenous (IV) docetaxel plus cisplatin and fluorouracil (5-fluorouracil) compared with 4-week cycles of IV cisplatin plus IV fluorouracil (5.6 vs 3.7 months) in a large (n = 445), randomised, multicentre, phase III trial. Furthermore, recipients of this triple regimen experienced a significantly longer median overall survival time, a higher overall response rate and delayed deterioration in health-related quality of life than those receiving cisplatin plus fluorouracil. These data are supported by two large (n > 100), randomised, phase II studies in patients with metastatic or locally advanced/recurrent gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer. In general, combination therapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and fluorouracil was relatively well tolerated given the nature of chemotherapy in patients with metastatic or locally advanced/recurrent gastric or gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma
authors.affiliation: Wolters Kluwer Health | Adis, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
authors.forename: Emma D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Deeks
authors.forename: Lesley J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil