Phase II study of a combination of irinotecan and cisplatin against metastatic gastric cancer

Abstract

Purpose: A phase II study of a combination chemotherapy regimen of cisplatin (CDDP) and irinotecan (CPT-11) was conducted to assess its efficacy and feasibility in patients with metastatic gastric cancer.

Patients and methods: Eligibility criteria included the following: (1) histologically proven gastric cancer with measurable metastatic lesions, (2) performance status of 2 or less, (3) age of 75 years or younger, (4) one or no prior chemotherapy regimens, (5) adequate bone marrow, liver, renal, and cardiac functions, and (6) written informed consent. The treatment consisted of CPT-11 (70 mg/m2) on day 1 and day 15 and CDDP (80 mg/m2) on day 1, repeated every 4 weeks.

Results: Forty-four patients were entered onto the study. The overall response rate was 48% (21 of 44 patients, 95% confidence interval [CI], 33% to 63%) and included one complete remission (2%). The response rate of the patients who had not received prior chemotherapy was 59% (17 of 29 patients, 95% CI, 39% to 77%). The median survival time was 272 days for all patients and 322 days for the 29 patients who had not received prior chemotherapy. Grade 4 neutropenia was observed in 25 patients (57%), and grade 3 or 4 diarrhea was observed in nine patients (20%). Other adverse reactions were mild. No treatment-related deaths occurred.

Conclusion: This combination chemotherapy regimen is active and well tolerated. It may be an appropriate regimen for future phase III trials.