Intensive weekly chemotherapy with docetaxel, epirubicin and carboplatin with G-CSF support in patients with advanced gastric cancer

Chemotherapy is an established modality in the management of patients with advanced gastric cancer but the optimal regimen has not been defined yet. Platinum and the anthracyclines and more recently docetaxel have shown activity in this tumor. The primary objective of this phase II study was to assess the efficacy and safety of an intensified regimen of weekly docetaxel/epirubicin/carboplatin (DECb) with growth factor support in previously untreated patients with advanced gastric cancer. A total of 72 patients with measurable disease received docetaxel at a dose of 30 mg/m², epirubicin at a dose of 30 mg/m² and carboplatin to a target area under the curve (AUC) of 2, every week for 6 consecutive weeks followed by 2 weeks’ rest, with filgrastim support. Analysis was performed on an intention to treat basis. The main toxicity was hematologic with grade 3/4 neutropenia occurring in 35% of the patients. Other grade 3/4 toxicities included anemia (7%), thrombocytopenia (14%) and leucopenia (26%). The relative dose intensity of docetaxel and epirubicin was 62%. The overall response rate was 21%, the median time to tumor progression was 4.1 months and the median survival 7.3 months. Intensified weekly treatment with DECb has modest activity in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Myelotoxicity limits adequate drug delivery.