title: Evolving treatments for advanced gastric cancer: appraisal of the survival trend.
abstract: Introduction and areas covered: We analysed the results of the main clinical studies looking at patients with advanced gastric or esophagogastric junction cancer, in order to differentiate between what is already clinical evidence and what is a promise for the cure of such patients. Thus, achievements from key studies, which had been purposely directed at chemotherapy, molecular target therapies and immunotherapy in both first and second-line setting were analysed. Metronomic chemotherapy, which consists of the administration of continuative low-dose anticancer drugs, was considered also. Expert commentary: It was found that patients included in experimental arms of randomized trials compared with controls have often benefited from a statistically significant extension of overall survival. However, further studies are awaited to bring new drugs into clinical practice and to validate candidate biomarkers predictive of response.
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Molecular Medicine Department , Sapienza University, Sant'Andrea Hospital , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roberto
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Molecular Medicine Department , Sapienza University, Sant'Andrea Hospital , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romiti
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Molecular Medicine Department , Sapienza University, Sant'Andrea Hospital , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Concetta Elisa
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Onesti
authors.affiliation: b Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy , Nuovo Regina Margherita Hospital , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zullo
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Molecular Medicine Department , Sapienza University, Sant'Andrea Hospital , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Molecular Medicine Department , Sapienza University, Sant'Andrea Hospital , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marchetti
mesh_terms: D059250:Administration, Metronomic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Advanced gastric cancer; chemotherapy; immunotherapy; metronomic chemotherapy; target therapy