title: Phase II study of epirubicin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel combination in metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This phase II study was designed to evaluate the activity and safety of a combination of epirubicin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel in metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with measurable distant metastases received epirubicin 50 mg/m2, docetaxel 60 mg/m2 followed by oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Primary end point was response rates (RR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were evaluable. The overall RR was 47.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 32-63). The disease control was 80%. Median time for response was 6 weeks. Median time to progression was 6.3 months (95% CI 5.4-7.2) and the median overall survival time was 12.1 months (95% CI 10.7-13.5). Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 50% of patients with two episodes of febrile neutropenia (5%). Other non-hematological grade 3 toxicities included sensory neuropathy in two patiens (5%), vomiting and mucositis in two patients (5%) and diarrhea in one patient (2.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of epirubicin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel was found to be effective and well tolerated in patiens with metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma and maybe an appropriate regimen to be used in the neoadjuvant setting and with molecularly targeted agents.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology B, Institute for Cancer Research, Rome, Italy. dilauro@ifo.it
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Lauro
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giacinti
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sergi
authors.forename: Silvia Ileana
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Fattoruso
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giannarelli
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D015251:Epirubicin; D002945:Cisplatin