title: A multi-center phase II study of S-1 plus paclitaxel as first-line therapy for patients with advanced or recurrent unresectable gastric cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of S-1 and paclitaxel combination therapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible patients had previously untreated advanced or relapsed gastric cancer with measurable lesion(s) and an ECOG PS of 0-2. Treatment consisted of S-1 35 mg/m(2) p.o. b.i.d. on days 1-14 followed by a 7-day off plus paclitaxel 70 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-six patients (M/F = 37/19) were enrolled. The median age was 59 years. The median number of cycles administered was six (range 1-18). Out of the 53 patients evaluated, there was 1 (1.9%) CR, 20 (37.7%) confirmed PRs, 5 (9.4%) unconfirmed PRs, 21 (39.6%) SDs, and 6 (11.3%) PDs. The objective tumor response was 39.6%. The median time to progression was 29 weeks. The median survival was 51 weeks. All 56 patients were assessed for treatment safety. The treatment was well tolerated with grade 3/4 neutropenia in 20%/13%, grade 3 febrile neutropenia in 7%, grade 2/3 diarrhea in 9%/4%, vomiting in 11%/0%, stomatitis in 4%/4%, and neuropathy in 4%/0% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  S-1 and paclitaxel combination treatment is an effective regimen with a favorable toxicity profile in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Jin
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Si-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun-Cheol
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Kyung-Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hong-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Won-Ki
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Young-Seon
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: In-Sil
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Young Yeul
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: In-Sook
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Jin-Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D010094:Oxonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005641:Tegafur / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; C079198:S 1 (combination); D005641:Tegafur; D010094:Oxonic Acid; D017239:Paclitaxel