TREATMENT OF ADVANCED GASTRIC-CANCER WITH A MODIFIED REGIMEN OF ETOPOSIDE LEUCOVORIN/5-FLUOROURACIL/

The efficacy and toxicity of a combination of etoposide 100 mg/m(2)/da y iv on day 2-4, leucovorin 300 mg/m(2)/day iv, and 5-FU 500 mg/m(2) d ay iv on day 1-5 every 4 weeks were assessed in 21 patients with advan ced gastric cancer with measurable or evaluable diseases. Eight patien ts had an objective response, including 3 in CR. The overall response rate was 38.1% (95% CI 33.4-42.8%). Five of 8 patients who exhibited l ocally advanced and unresectable diseases had an objective response (2 CR, 3 PR). The response rate in patients with metastatic disease was 23.0% (95% CI 14.4-31.6%). The median progression-free interval and ov erall survival time were 7 and 10 months, respectively. The most frequ ent side effect was alopecia (Gr I/II 71.4%). No treatment-related dea th occurred. Modified ELF is a relatively effective and tolerable comb ination regimen for advanced gastric cancer and can be safely administ ered to elderly patients and patients with systemic diseases.