OBJECTIVEThe combination of oxaliplatin and S-1 is effective in patients with advanced gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to analyze the safety and compliance of this combination regimen as adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 71 patients with gastric cancer treated with oxaliplatin plus S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy in the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) from Jan 1(st), 2010 to Jan 1(st), 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The types and incidence rate of adverse events related to chemotherapy and the results of follow up of the patients were analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 71 cases, 17 were treated with oxaliplatin biweekly, while 54 with oxaliplatin triweekly. The most common adverse events were neutropenia (n = 49, 69.0%), nausea/vomiting (n = 51, 71.8%), and anorexia (n = 49, 69.0%). The most frequent grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia (n = 13, 18.3%), thrombocytopenia (n = 10, 14.1%), anorexia (n = 5, 7.0%) and nausea/vomiting (n = 4, 5.6%). Seven (87.5%) of the 8 patients previously treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy experienced thrombocytopenia in the postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and four (50%) of the 8 patients experienced grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia. The rates of grade 3-4 adverse events in patients aged 65-years or older were similar to that in younger patients.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of oxaliplatin and S-1 used as adjuvant chemotherapy is well tolerated by patients with gastric cancer. Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea/vomiting and anorexia are the major treatment-related adverse events. Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy do not well tolerate this regimen as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. This combination regimen has a manageable tolerability profile in adjuvant setting in patients ≥ 65 years old.