title: Phase I dose-escalating study of 24-h continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil in combination with weekly docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of a 24-h continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) when administered in combination with a fixed weekly dose of docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 21) received a weekly regimen of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-FU (DCF) for 3 consecutive weeks every 4 weeks. The doses of docetaxel and cisplatin were fixed at 33.3 and 30 mg/m(2), respectively. The dose of 5-FU was increased from a starting dose of 1,000 mg/m(2) to the MTD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 53 cycles of chemotherapy were administered (median = 3 cycles/patient). The MTD of 5-FU was 1,750 mg/m(2). All 21 patients were assessed for toxicity and 19 patients (90%) were evaluated for response. Both grade 3-4 hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities occurred in less than 10% of patients and there were no treatment-related deaths. Among the 19 patients, we observed 1 complete and 4 partial responses for an overall response rate of 26% (95% CI: 6-46%). This rate increased to 39% (95% CI: 12-66%) in 13 chemotherapy-naïve patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A consecutive weekly DCF regimen at 4-week intervals appears feasible for advanced gastric cancer with a favorable toxicity profile. The recommended doses are 33.3 mg/m(2) of docetaxel, 30 mg/m(2) of cisplatin and 1,500 mg/m(2) of a 24-h continuous intravenous infusion of 5-FU. The response of this weekly regimen in our study was favorable and deserved further investigation in a phase II trial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
authors.forename: Biyun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaonan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil