The Comparison of FLOT and DCF Regimens as Perioperative Treatment for Gastric Cancer

Introduction: Locoregional gastric cancer is a still serious problem and perioperative treatments may improve the success of management. Different regimens were examined. The present study purposed to compare the efficacy of fluorouracil-leucovorin-oxaliplatin-docetaxel (FLOT) and docetaxel-cisplatin-fluorouracil (DCF) regimens.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter study assessed the patients with locoregional gastric cancer. There are 240 patients (137 DCF, 103 FLOT). Survival rates were compared.

Results: Demographic features were similar between the two groups, but the time period was different. The FLOT group had 7.8% pathological complete response, while the DCF group did not. Disease-free survival was longer in the FLOT than in the DCF group (median not reached - 13.94 months, respectively). Median overall survival was similar (30.9 vs. 37.8 months), but median follow-up affected the analysis. Survival for 36 months was 63% for the FLOT group and 40% for the DCF group (log-rank; p = 0.015).

Conclusion: FLOT regimen was superior to DCF regimen for response and survival rates. DCF is a historical approach. Long-term follow-up period is needed for FLOT treatment.