OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic response of advanced gastric cancer with severe lymph nodes metastasis to FLEEOX regimen neoadjuvant chemotherapy that combined arterial and venous administration.

METHODSNeoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 32 cases of gastric cancer with advanced abdominal lymph nodes metastases from January 2007 to October 2008. Of the 32 patients, 28 had severe local lymph nodes metastasis, such as No.3, 7, 9, 12 lymph nodes metastasis, one patient had No.16 lymph nodes metastasis, and the other 3 patients had both regional and No.16 lymph nodes metastasis under CT scan. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered as follows: 5-Fu 370 mg/m(2), intravenous drip, day 1 - 5; Leukovorin 120 mg, intravenous drip, day 1 - 5; oxaliplatin 150 mg/m(2), epirubicin 30 mg/m(2) and epotoside 70 mg/m(2), intravascular infusion through arteria gastrica sinistra, day 6 and 20. The protocol was repeated every five weeks for two or three courses. After 2 or 3 cycles of chemotherapy, abdominal CT was taken to evaluate the radiological therapeutic response and calculate the reductive rate of the tumor.

RESULTSThe general conditions and symptoms was improved significantly in all the patients. Four cases got complete response (CR), 24 got partial response (PR) and 4 got no change under CT scan. For the 32 case, the radiological response rate (CR + PR) was 87.5%(28/32). Thirty patients underwent subtotal or total gastrectomy, even combined organ resection, with D2 or D2 + alpha lymphadenectomy.

CONCLUSIONSThe FLEEOX regimen which combines arterial and venous administration carries a satisfactory therapeutic effect in advanced gastric cancer with severe lymph nodes metastasis. The combined routes of drug administration may improve the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in stomach cancer.