Capcitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer
14089 Background: Effective 1st line chemotherapy that is easily delivered and tolerable is important in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of combination capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX), given 3 weekly, in patients with AGC. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with AGC, were treated with XELOX at the National Cancer Centre Singapore between June 2003 and December 2005. Capecitabine was given 2000 mg/m2/day, days 1–14, and oxaliplatin was given 130 mg/m2 on day 1, every 21 days. Results: The median age was 61 years with 22% of patients ≥ 70 years. One-third of patients had ECOG 2 - 4, and 33% of patients had signet ring cell histology. Median doses of capecitabine and oxaliplatin achieved were 1500 mg/m2/day (1200 - 2400) and 130mg/m2 (80 - 130) respectively. A median of 5 cycles (range 1 - 8) of XELOX was administered. All 27 patients had toxicity assessment. Toxicities were infrequent and mild. There were 3 cases of grade 3/4 toxicities (thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and fatigue). Twenty-two patients had measurable disease for response evaluation. Complete (CR) and partial (PR) response rates were 9 and 50% respectively. Overall response rate was 59%. Chemo-naïve patients had better responses (80% vs 25%). Four of the remaining 5 patients had reduction in non-measurable disease or in tumor marker levels. Of the 9 patients with ECOG > 1, there was radiological CR in 1 patient and 5 PR; 1 had normalization of CEA, another reversal of disseminated intravascular coagulation and the third decreased ascites. The median time to progression and overall survival were 5.9 months and 7.6 months respectively. Conclusions: XELOX regimen is safe, active and well tolerated in AGC even in patients with poor ECOG status. It is easily administered without requiring a central venous catheter. This regimen should be investigated further in a prospective manner. No significant financial relationships to disclose.