Annals of Oncology 15:484-488, 2004
© 2004 European Society for Medical Oncology
Original Paper |
Phase II trial of cisplatin and gemcitabine in patients with advanced gastric cancer
Received 20 August 2003; revised 14 November 2003; accepted 19 December 2003Background:
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 3571). 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/m2 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 28). Myelosuppresion was the most important toxicity. Grade 34 thrombopenia was observed in 19 patients (48%) and grade 34 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 12 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 327+).
Conclusions:
This cisplatingemcitabine regimen had moderate efficacy in patients with advanced gastric cancer, with manageable toxicity. Further studies with this combination may be warranted.
1 Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam; 2 Department of Internal Medicine, De Heel-Zaans Medisch Centrum, Zaandam, The Netherlands
Key words: advanced gastric cancer, cisplatin, gemcitabine