Weekly and three-weeks' docetaxel,cisplatin and 5-FU treatment in advanced gastric carcinoma

Background and purpose:The majority of patients with gastric cancer are in advanced stage with either extensive invasion of tumor into the adjacent organs,lymph nodes or distant metastases when diagnosed.As a new anticancer drug of Taxanes,docetaxel has shown considerable promise in advanced gastric cancer through clinical study in these years.We conducted a clinical trial to compare the response and toxic reaction of weekly and 3-weeks'docetaxel /cisplatin/5-Fu treatment in advanced gastric cancer.Methods:80 patients were deviede into two groups.Ggroup A:Docetaxel 25 mg/m2 iv d 1,8,15,cisplatin 25 mg/m2 iv d 1-3,5-FU 500 mg/m2 iv d 1-5 q4w.Group B:Docetaxel 75 mg/m2 iv d 1,cisplatin 25 mg/m2 iv d 1-3,5-FU 500 mg/m2 iv d 1-5 q3w;The clinical responses were assessed after two cycles.Toxicity was assessed every cycle.Results:There was 1 CR in 40 cases,16 with PR,14 with SD in group A;there was 1 CR in 40 cases,17 with PR,14 with SD in group B.The overall response rates were 42.4% and 45.0% in group A and B,respectively.Grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ neatropenia were 32.5% and 77.5% in group A and B.The major non-hematologic toxicity was weakness.Grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ weakness were 22.5% and 42.5% in group A and B.Conclusions:The response rates were similar between groups A and B.The occurrence of hematological toxicity and weakness were lower in weekly treatment group.