Abstract
Background: This phase II study was performed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin and gemcitabine in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Patients and methods: Forty chemo-naïve patients with measurable locoregionally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer were included; the median patient age was 53 years (range 35-71). Cisplatin was administered at a dose of 50 mg/m2, given in 1 h intravenously (i.v.) on days 1 and 8, followed after 24 h by gemcitabine at a dose of 800 mg/m 2 given in 30 min i.v. on days 2, 9 and 16, every 28 days. Results: A median number of four therapy cycles were given (range 2-8). Myelosuppresion was the most important toxicity. Grade 3-4 thrombopenia was observed in 19 patients (48%) and grade 3-4 leukopenia was observed in 23 (58%). Myelotoxicity was cumulative and caused omission of gemcitabine on day 16 in 55% of cycles. Non-haematological toxicity consisted mainly of grade 1-2 nausea and vomiting. Objective responses were observed in 30% of patients including two complete remissions and 10 partial remissions. Median survival was 11 months (range 3-27+). Conclusions: This cisplatin-gemcitabine regimen had moderate efficacy in patients with advanced gastric cancer, with manageable toxicity. Further studies with this combination may be warranted.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 484-488 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Annals of Oncology |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Advanced gastric cancer
- Cisplatin
- Gemcitabine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research