Purpose: Gastric cancer is the 4th most commonly diagnosed cancer and the 2nd leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In this study assessed were the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of epirubicin, cisplatin and UFT in patients with metastatic gastric cancer (MGC).
Patients and methods: In this retrospective study 27 patients with MGC were treated with epirubicin 50 mg/m(2) and cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1 and subsequently UFT 250 mg/m(2)/day orally in divided doses for 21 days, followed by a 7/day rest (EP/UFT).
Results: Response and toxicity evaluation was possible for 25 patients. Three complete (12%) and 2 partial (8%) responses were observed. With a median follow-up 37 weeks (range 15-117), the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 24 and 31 weeks, respectively. WHO grade 3 or 4 toxicity included neutropenia in 3 (12%) patients and nausea/vomiting in 1 (4%) patient. Neutropenic fever developed in only 1 (4%) patient.
Conclusion: EP-UFT with lower UFT doses and without leucovorin support is a safe and effective regimen as first -line treatment of MGC.