Abstract |
A total of 23 advanced gastric cancer patients older than 65 years received 500 mg/m2 5-fluorouracil i.v. on days 2-4, 120 mg/m2 vepesid i.v. on days 2-4, 150 mg/m2 6S-leucovorin on days 2-4, and 5 MU/m2 interferon alpha-2b on days 1-5, with cycles being repeated every 3 weeks. Toxicity was severe at an interferon (IFN) dose of 5 MU/m2; only one patient tolerated this dose. In 18 patients an IFN dose of 3 MU/m2 and in 3 other patients a dose of 4 MU/m2 could be given without producing toxicity. At an IFN dose of 5 MU/m2 the most common toxicities encountered were stomatitis (grade 4 in 1 patient and grade 3 in 12 patients), leukopenia (grade 4 in 1 patient and grade 3 in 5 patients), and thrombocytopenia (grade 3 in 3 patients). Two patients achieved a complete response and eight showed a partial response, resulting in an overall response rate of 45% [95% confidence interval (CI), 25%-64%]. The median survival was 7 months for all patients and 9 months for responding patients. In conclusion, without substantially increasing the toxicity, IFN can be added to the etoposide/ leucovorin/ 5-fluorouracil combination, at a dose of 3 MU/m2. To verify the possible enhancement by IFN of the activity of this combination, a randomized trial is under way.
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Authors | S Cascinu, A Fedeli, G Catalano |
Journal | Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology
(Cancer Chemother Pharmacol)
Vol. 34
Issue 1
Pg. 72-4
( 1994)
ISSN: 0344-5704 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 8174205
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
- Recombinant Proteins
- Etoposide
- Levoleucovorin
- Leucovorin
- Fluorouracil
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Topics |
- Adenocarcinoma
(drug therapy, secondary)
- Aged
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
(therapeutic use)
- Etoposide
(administration & dosage)
- Female
- Fluorouracil
(administration & dosage)
- Humans
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
(administration & dosage)
- Leucovorin
(administration & dosage)
- Levoleucovorin
- Male
- Pilot Projects
- Recombinant Proteins
- Stomach Neoplasms
(drug therapy)
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