A pilot study of irinotecan combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for the treatment of Chinese patients with locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The FOLFIRI regimen was evaluated for its anti-tumor activity and toxicity in Chinese patients with locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer.


METHODS
Treatment consisted ofirinotecan, 180 mg/m2 (90-min infusion), leucovorin, 200 mg/m2 (2-h infusion), followed by 5-fluorouracil, 400 mg/m2 (bolus), and then 5-fluorouracil, 600 mg/m2 (22-h continuous infusion) on days 1 and 2, every 14 days.


RESULTS
Twenty-six patients, of whom 17 were pretreated, were included in the study. Partial response was observed in 9 patients (37.5%). The overall disease control rate was 83.3%. Median progression-free and overall survival was 6.8 and 11.2 months, respectively. Grade 3-4 neutropenia was observed in 6 patients (23.1%) and grade 2-3 diarrhea in 5 (19.2%). No treatment-related deaths occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate that the FOLFIRI regimen is an active regimen with acceptable toxicity for Chinese patients with advanced and metastatic gastric cancer that merits further investigation in comparative trials.
Department of Abdominal Cancer, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, The People's Republic of China. qiuli108@yahoo.com.cn
Qiu
Q
Li
Jing
J
Chen
Xin
X
Zhao
Xude
X
Yin
Kai
K
Mei
Chengya
C
Zhou
Xiaohong
X
Cai
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044466:Asian People; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000077146:Irinotecan; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin