A phase I combination chemotherapy study of biweekly paclitaxel and S-1 administration in patients with advanced gastric cancer

The aim of the current study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose limiting toxicity (DLT) of a combination of paclitaxel and S-1 in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Fifteen patients were enrolled. The dose for S-1 was set at 80 mg/m²/day (days 1–14), while the dose for paclitaxel increased by 10 mg/m² for every three patients, with a starting dose of 100 mg/m² and was given biweekly on day 1 and 15. There was no severe toxicity (grade 4) recorded in patients receiving up to 120 mg/m² of paclitaxel. Leukopenia/neutrophilia with grade 1 to 3 occurred in six patients up to level 3. At 130 mg/m² of paclitaxel, grade 4 leukocytopenia and neutropenia events and grade 3 diarrhea developed in one out of three patients. One patient in another group of three patients that were enrolled at level 3, developed grade 4 granulocytopenia with fever (a body temperature higher than 38°C) and grade 3 leukocytopenia. Eight patients, out of a total of 15, showed a partial response, resulting in an objective response rate of 53%. Five patients received gastrectomy. Median survival time was 428 days and the 1 year survival rate was 53%. Biweekly paclitaxel/S-1 combination chemotherapy could be safely used for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. The recommended doses for a phase II study with paclitaxel and S-1 are 120 mg/m² and 80 mg/m², respectively.