ETOPOSIDE, DOXORUBICIN (ADRIAMYCIN) AND CISPLATIN REGIMEN IN ADVANCEDGASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA - EXPERIENCE WITH A LOWER DOSE SCHEDULE

A phase II trial of etoposide (100 mg/m2) on days 4, 5, 6, doxorubicin (Adriamycin, 20 mg/m2) on days 1, 7, and cisplatin (30 mg/m2) on days 2, 8 (EAP) was carried out in order to reduce toxicity associated wit h a full-dose EAP regimen for advanced and/or metastatic gastric adeno carcinoma. Out of 21 evaluable patients, 2 (10%) had a complete respon se (CR), 7 (33%) had a partial response (PR), 4 (20%) showed no change and 8 progressed (38%). The mean duration of response (CR + PR) was 8 .4+ months. Survival of the whole group was 7.5+ months. Treatment was quite well tolerated by most patients on an outpatient basis. Grade 3 vomiting and leukopenia were seen in 30% and 35% of cases respectivel y. One patient had grade 3 esophagitis, and 1 patient was hospitalized for severe grade 4 febrile leukopenia. Although the EAP regimen canno t be considered a standard therapy for gastric cancer, the EAP schedul e employed in this study seems to be better tolerated than those repor ted by other authors, and can safely be given on an outpatient basis.