Combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin and paclitaxel for pretreated patients with advanced gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
Paclitaxel, 5-FU and cisplatin are effective against gastric cancer, but the optimal regimen for combined chemotherapy with these drugs remains unclear. This combination regimen was used here for advanced gastric cancer mainly in a second- or third-line setting.


METHODS
Thirty-nine gastric cancer patients were treated with the following regimen. Paclitaxel 40 mg/m2 infusions were administered on days 1 and 8, combined with cisplatin (6.5 mg/m2) and 5-FU (350 mg/m2) on days 1 through 8, followed by 3 weeks' rest.


RESULTS
The response rate was 17.9% (7/39); seven patients had a partial response, twelve had stable disease and twenty had progressive disease. The median overall survival was 8.2 months and the median time to progression was 6.4 months. The frequency of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, fatigue and anorexia was 7.6%, 5.1% and 7.6%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This combination therapy is recommended as second- or third-line therapy against advanced gastric cancer, with a tolerable and acceptable toxicity profile.
Yamaguchi
Kentaro
K
Department of Surgery, Niigata Cancer Center Hospital, 2-15-3 Kawagishi-cho, Niigata 951-8566, Japan. kenta-y@xa2.so-net.ne.jp
Nakagawa
Satoru
S
Yabusaki
Hiroshi
H
Nashimoto
Atsushi
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil