Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy improves survival in advanced gastric cancer. However the most active combinations have a high level of toxicity that limits their use. Aim: To assess the response, toxicity and survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer, treated with oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy). Material and methods: Patients with stage IVgastric cancer, according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer or with relapsed disease and functional capacity 0-2 of the South West Oncology Group, were included. FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy was used as first or second line treatment. The response to treatment and survival were assessed. Results: Between 2003 and 2006, 29 patients (median age 52.5 years, 69% males) were treated. FOLFOX-4 was given as first line treatment in 65% patients and as second line in 35%. There was a complete response in 4.6%, partial response in 68%, stable disease in 20.6% and progression in 6.8%. Toxicity was observed in 51% of patients, that was hematological and non hematological grade 3/4 in 14%. Median survival was 12.5 months. Conclusions: FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy was active in advanced gastric cancer and had a low level of toxicity