title: Docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine combination chemotherapy for metastatic gastric cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incorporation of docetaxel into the cisplatin and fluorouracil backbone has been demonstrated to be an active combination in metastatic gastric cancer. Nevertheless, this regimen is burdened by nonnegligible toxicity. We hypothesized that replacing cisplatin and fluorouracil with oxaliplatin and capecitabine should be an active and safe option for metastatic gastric cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this phase II study, we tested the activity of docetaxel in combination with oxaliplatin and capecitabine (DOC) as a first-line treatment. DOC was administered as follows: docetaxel (60 mg/m(2)) and oxaliplatin (100 mg/m(2)) on day 1, and capecitabine (500 mg/m(2)) was administered orally twice daily given continuously, with cycles repeated every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-eight patients entered the study. All patients had metastatic disease (stage IV). None of the patients had previously received chemotherapy for advanced disease. Performance status was 0, 1, and 2 in 25, 58, and 17 % of patients, respectively; 13 patients (27 %) had adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, and 29 patients (60.5 %) had two or more metastatic sites. The overall response rate was 52.1 %. Progression-free survival and overall survival were 6.9 and 12.6 months, respectively. The treatment was well tolerated with no treatment-related deaths. The most common grade 3-4 toxicity was neutropenia (41 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DOC is an effective and tolerated first-line treatment, and the lower dose of docetaxel and oxaliplatin used in this study compared with other similar regimens does not seem to hamper the antitumor activity.
authors: Division of Medical Oncology B, "Regina Elena" National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy, dilauro@ifo.it.
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Di Lauro
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Vici
authors: Franca
authors: F
authors: Belli
authors: Silverio
authors: S
authors: Tomao
authors: Silvia Ileana
authors: SI
authors: Fattoruso
authors: Maria Grazia
authors: MG
authors: Arena
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Pizzuti
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Giannarelli
authors: Giancarlo
authors: G
authors: Paoletti
authors: Maddalena
authors: M
authors: Barba
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Sergi
authors: Marcello
authors: M
authors: Maugeri-Saccà
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D043823:Taxoids; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil