Clinical study of paclitaxel combined with 5-fluorouracil in treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma

OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic effects and toxicity of a regimen, which consists of PTX combined with 5-FU, for treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma. HELH regimen was contrasted at the same time. METHODS:A total of 83 patients with advanced gastric carcinoma were divided into two groups. Thirty-four cases received TF civ and 49 cases received HELF regimen. TF group with PTX 60 mg/m2 infusion on the first, 8th and 15th day; 5-FU 250 mg/m2 using an ambulatory pump continuous infusion from the first to 14th day, and one cycle consisted of 21 days. HELF group with HPT 8 mg/m2; Vp-16 60 mg/m2; CF 100 mg/m2 and 5-FU 600 mg/m2 infusion from the first to 5th day. All patients received over two cycles of the two chemotherapy regimens respectively. RESULTS: In the TF group, gross efficiency rate was 55.8% with 1 case of CR and 18 cases of PR. the HELF group at the same time, gross efficiency rate was 49.0% with 24 cases of PR (P=0.536). As to CBR, TF group's efficiency rate was 79.4% with 26 cases,being better than HELF group's 53.1% with 28 cases (P=0.014). Major side reactions of gastrointestinal hepatorenal, dysfunction tract reaction and mucsitis in the two groups were nearly the same, whereas, side reactions of marrow suppression, alopecia, musculoskeletal pain in TF group were severer than these in HELF group. CONCLUSIONS: TF civ regimen is effective in the treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma with tolerable toxities.