European experience of docetaxel and cisplatin in advanced gastric cancer

The combination of docetaxel with cisplatin in gastric cancer is a promising development. In a phase II study, 85-100 mg/m2 docetaxel plus 75 mg/m2 cisplatin was established as an active regimen in advanced gastric cancer (with an overall response rate of 56%) with a manageable safety profile. Up to 300 mg/m2 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) given by continuous infusion for 2 of 3 weeks can be added to this regimen without an increase in appreciable toxicity. The efficacy of docetaxel-based regimens remains to be established by a randomized phase III study. However, the results of such trials are eagerly awaited, as are data from studies of docetaxel-based combinations in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings.