Epirubicin, cisplatin, and continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil is an active and safe regimen for patients with advanced gastric cancer. An Italian Group for the Study of Digestive Tract Cancer (GISCAD) report.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A Phase II confirmatory multicenter trial was performed to evaluate a combination of epirubicin, cisplatin, and continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (ECF) in treating patients with advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS:

Fifty-three patients with locally advanced (n = 7) or metastatic (n = 46) gastric cancer received a dose of epirubicin (50 mg/m2) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) intravenously every 21 days for eight cycles with 5-fluorouracil (200 mg/m2/day) by intravenous continuous infusion for 21 consecutive weeks, administered through a central line using an external pump.

RESULTS:

Eight complete responses and 22 partial responses (response rate = 56%, 95% confidence interval +/- 13) were achieved. Twelve patients had stable disease. The median duration of response was 10 months (range, 3-21 months), and the median survival for all the patients was 9+ months (range, 2-28 months). Overall toxicity, which was primarily hematologic, was mild with only three patients requiring hospitalization for neutropenic fever. No death due to toxicity occurred.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study found that the ECF regimen is substantially active in treating patients with advanced gastric cancer and has a favorable pattern of toxicity. This schedule clearly deserves randomized comparative trials for palliation of metastatic disease and for adjuvant purposes.

• Authors: A Zaniboni, S Barni, R Labianca, G Marini, G Pancera, G Giaccon, E Piazza, A Signaroldi, W Legnani, G Luporini
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 76 Issue 10 Pg. 1694-9 (Nov 15 1995) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States
• PMID: 8625036 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Chemical References

• Epirubicin
• Cisplatin
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Cisplatin (administration & dosage)
• Epirubicin (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Stomach Neoplasms (drug therapy)