[Treatment of advanced gastric cancer with oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil/ leucovorin (FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy)].
BACKGROUND
Chemotherapy improves survival in advanced gastric cancer. However the most active combinations have a high level of toxicity that limits their use.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the response, toxicity and survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer, treated with oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy).


METHODS
Patients with stage IV gastric cancer, according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer or with relapsed disease and functional capacity 0-2 of the South West Oncology Group, were included. FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy was used as first or second line treatment. The response to treatment and survival were assessed.


RESULTS
Between 2003 and 2006, 29 patients (median age 52.5 years, 69% males) were treated. FOLFOX-4 was given as first line treatment in 65% patients and as second line in 35%. There was a complete response in 4.6%, partial response in 68%, stable disease in 20.6% and progression in 6.8%. Toxicity was observed in 51% of patients, that was hematological and non hematological grade 3/4 in 14%. Median survival was 12.5 months.


CONCLUSIONS
FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy was active in advanced gastric cancer and had a low level of toxicity.
Garrido
Marcelo
M
Departamento de Hematología-Oncología, Centro de Cáncer, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Melgoza
Geraldine
G
Galindo
Héctor
H
Madrid
Jorge
J
Sánchez
César
C
Nervi
Bruno
B
Alvarez
Manuel
M
Orellana
Eric
E
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D011725:Pyridines; C431073:oxiplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil