Docetaxel combined with oral etoposide as second-line treatment for advanced gastric carcinoma after failure of platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based regimens

Abstract

Background. Platinum, antracyline, and fluoropyrimidine combination chemotherapy has been widely used as a first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer (AGC). In the present study, we determined the efficacy and the safety of docetaxel and oral etoposide as second-line combination chemotherapy after failure of commonly used combination regimens in AGC.

Methods. Patients with histologically proven gastric cancer and measurable metastatic disease received docetaxel 75 mg/m² as a 1-h intravenous infusion on day 1, and oral etoposide 50 mg/m² once daily on days 1—5, every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities.

Results. Between June 2006 and September 2008, 32 patients, of median age 60 years (range 32—77 years) were included in the study. Overall response rate was 9.4% and 31.3% of patients achieved a stable disease. Median progression-free survival was 3 months (95% CI, 2.5—3.5). Median overall survival was 6 months (95% CI, 3.8—8.2) with 16.9% 1-year survival rate. Grade 3—4 toxicities included neutropenia (28.8%), febrile neutropenia (18.8%), thrombocytopenia (3.1%), nausea and vomiting (15.6%), diarrhea (9.4%), and mucositis (6.2%).

Conclusion. Docetaxel and oral etoposide combination was moderately effective and safe in appropriately selected AGC patients after failure of platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based combination regimens. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2010) 16: 173—178.