OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of oxaliplatin and ELF (VP16/CF/5-Fu) regimen in the treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSOxaliplatin was given at a dose of 100 mg/m(2) i.v. 2 hours D1, calcium folinate (CF) 200 mg/m(2) i.v. 1/2 hour D1 approximately D3, 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) 500 mg/m(2) i.v. 2 hours D1 approximately D3 and etoposide 100 mg/m(2) i.v. 3 hours D1 approximately D3. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. Efficacy and safety were evaluated every 2 cycles.

RESULTSSixty-nine patients were enrolled into the study. All cases were pathologically confirmed as gastric cancer (adenocarcinoma in 57 cases and signet ring cell carcinoma in 12 cases). 42 patients had newly diagnosed disease, and 27 patients had received previous chemotherapy. 62 patients were analyzed for response (7 complete responses and 25 partial responses) with total response rate 51.61%. The median time to progression was 5.7 months and the median overall survival was 9.2 months. The most common hematologic toxicities were anemia (29.0%), leucopenia (51.2%) and thrombocytopenia (21.2%). No grade 4 and grade 5 hematologic toxicities were observed. The most common non-hematologic toxicities were nausea (46.5%), vomiting (41.1%), peripheral sensory neuropathy (47.1%), and grade 2 alopecia (27.3%).

CONCLUSIONThis oxaliplatin combined with ELF regimen shows good efficacy and acceptable safety in advanced gastric cancer patients. It is worthy to be proved as a suitable alternative regimen in this indication.