The first line systemic chemotherapy in metastatic gastric carcinoma: A comparison of docetaxel, cisplatin and fluorouracil (DCF) versus cisplatin and fluorouracil (CF); versus epirubicin, cisplatin and fluorouracil (ECF) regimens in clinical setting

Abstract

Background/aims: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the first-line chemotherapy regimens in advanced gastric carcinoma (AGC). METHODOGY: In this study, 116 patients who had advanced stage gastric adenocarcinoma were evaluated. The patients receiving Cisplatin/5-Flourouracil (CF) regimen (n=36) were compared with either those receiving Epirubicin/Cispatin/5-Flourouracil (ECF) regimen (n=40) or those receiving Docetaxel/Cispatin/5-Flourouracil (DCF) regimen (n=40).

Results: The overall response rate (ORR) was 18%, 30%, and 40% with CF, ECF, and DCF, respectively. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.3, 4.4 and 5.8 months for CF, ECF and DCF, respectively. Although overall survival was similar in all 3 groups, 1-year and 2-year survival rates were better on DCF group compared to the other two groups.

Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that DCF is superior in terms of ORR and PFS in comparison to CF and ECF combinations in AGC.