Multicenter feasibility study of 5-FU, leucovorin, plus paclitaxel (FLTAX) for peritoneal disseminated gastric cancer with massive ascites or inadequate oral intake.
119 Background: Oral fluoropyrimidine plus cisplatin is widely used as a standard treatment for advanced gastric cancer, but patients (pts) with severe peritoneal metastasis often cannot tolerate this regimen. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin (LV), plus paclitaxel (PTX) for peritoneal disseminated gastric cancer with massive ascites or inadequate oral intake. Methods: Peritoneal disseminated gastric cancer with massive ascites or inadequate oral intake were enrolled in Part I (Level 1 (n=6): 5-FU bolus/l- LV div 2hr/PTX div 1hr = 500/250/60, Level 2 (n=6): 600/250/80 mg/m2 (day1, 8, 15, q4w) to determine dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and recommended dose (RD). In Part II (n=19), primary endpoint was completion rate of 2 cycles to evaluate the feasibility of this regimen at RD level. Results: One of Level 1 pts had DLT with grade 4 gastrointestinal perforation. Two of Level 2 pts had DLT (grade 3 febrile neutropenia and grade 3 infection with normal neutrophils) and treatment-related death (TRD) was observed in one patient due to pneumonia with grade 4 neutropenia. The RD was determined to be Level 1. Twenty-five patients were enrolled at RD level: first-line/second-line=18/7, performance status 0/1/2=1/19/5. The completion rate of 2 cycles was 92% and objective response rate of ascites was 45%. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in 12% (febrile neutropenia in 8%). Five patients out of 7 second-line patients died within 30 days after last administration of FLTAX (TRD: 1 and disease progression: 4). Conclusions: RD of FLTAX regimen was 5-FU/l-LV/PTX=500/250/60 mg/m2. This regimen was feasible as the first-line treatment against peritoneal disseminated gastric cancer patients with massive ascites or inadequate oral intake. [Table: see text]