title: Weight Loss During Initial Chemotherapy Predicts Survival in Patients With Advanced Gastric Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) often suffer weight loss, which can be used to predict prognosis. Few reports have assessed the correlation between weight loss during chemotherapy and survival in patients with AGC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three patients with histologically proven AGC, who started systemic chemotherapy from September 2010 to March 2014, were retrospectively examined for body weight, inflammatory status, and survival. Correlation analyses were performed between weight change and survival. Correlations between weight loss and the patient characteristics were analyzed by stepwise multiple regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 64.4 years; 64% of the patients were males. Initial chemotherapy included fluoropyrimidine plus cisplatin (62%), fluoropyrimidine alone (26%), and other medications (12%); 72% of the patients exhibited weight loss during the initial therapy. Poorer mean overall survival and mean progression-free survival were observed in patients with weight loss of higher-than-average values than in those with weight loss of lower-than-average values. Serum C-reactive protein levels were significantly correlated with weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weight loss during initial chemotherapy for AGC may predict survival. Systemic inflammation is suggested to be associated with weight loss.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Oncology , Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center , Fukuoka , Japan.|b Department of Hematology and Oncology , Kyushu University Hospital , Fukuoka , Japan.
authors.forename: Kotoe
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takayoshi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Oncology , Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center , Fukuoka , Japan.
authors.forename: Keita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uchino
authors.affiliation: c Department of Nursing , Faculty of Health Sciences, Junshin Gakuen University , Fukuoka , Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakano
authors.affiliation: d Department of Clinical Cancer Care , Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center , Fukuoka , Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikejiri
authors.affiliation: b Department of Hematology and Oncology , Kyushu University Hospital , Fukuoka , Japan.|e Department of Comprehensive Clinical Oncology , Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University , Fukuoka , Japan.
authors.forename: Eishi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; C029269:5-fluoropyrimidine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002945:Cisplatin