Efficacy and feasibility of combination chemotherapy with S-1 and cisplatin (2 weeks regimen) for advanced gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Although combination chemotherapy with 3 weeks of S-1 and cisplatin is effective for advanced gastric cancer, the toxicities of S-1 which mostly occur during the third week of administration are a major problem. To achieve fewer adverse effects with S-1 and higher dose intensity of cisplatin, we performed combination chemotherapy with 2 weeks of S-1 and cisplatin as first line. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the efficacy and feasibility of this regimen.


METHODS
S-1 (40-60 mg depending on patient's body surface area) was given orally twice daily for 2 consecutive weeks, and 70 mg/m(2) cisplatin was given intravenously on day 8, followed by a 2-week rest period.


RESULTS
Forty-eight patients received a total of 184 courses of chemotherapy. Overall response rate was 40.6% and median survival time was 411 days. Dose intensities were 257.6 mg/m(2)/week for S-1 and 16.4 mg/m(2)/week for cisplatin. The incidences of grade 3/4 haematological toxicities were leucopenia (19%), neutropenia (29%) and anaemia (17%), and those of grade 3 non-haematological toxicities were anorexia (31%) and nausea (21%). The rate of treatment discontinuation owing to toxicity was 10%.


CONCLUSIONS
This regimen may be effective as an alternative therapy to 3 weeks of S-1 and cisplatin to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer.
Abe
Seiichiro
S
Department of Medical Oncology Center, Tonan Hospital, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan. seiitiro2605@tonan.gr.jp
Tsuji
Yasushi
Y
Tsushima
Takahiro
T
Kogawa
Takahiro
T
Abe
Masakazu
M
Onodera
Yoshimitsu
Y
Mizushima
Takeshi
T
Kukitsu
Takehiro
T
Sumiyoshi
Tetsuya
T
Yoshizaki
Naohito
N
Ishii
Toru
T
Kondo
Hitoshi
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010094:Oxonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005641:Tegafur / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004338:Drug Combinations; C079198:S 1 (combination); D005641:Tegafur; D010094:Oxonic Acid; D002945:Cisplatin