[Oxaliplatin plus capecitabine as a second line chemotherapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer]

To evaluate the effect and toxicity of oxaliplatin combined with capecitabine (Xeloda) as a second-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Twenty-four patients with advanced gastric cancer who had been treated by multiple chemotherapy regimens presenting poor responses were allotted. LX regimen (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) in 2-hour infusion on D1 and D15, capecitabine 1250 mg/m(2)/d divided in two daily doses given from D1 to D14) was adopted. The cycles were repeated every 28 days. All patients received two or more cycles.

All 24 patients were evaluated after having received 2 to 6 cycles of chemotherapy, totally 92 cycles. The overall response rate was 29.2% (including 2 CR, 5 PR, 10 NC and 7 PD). The time to tumor progression (TTP) was 2 to 18 months (median 5 months), and duration of remission was 4 to 14 months (median 8 months). The major toxicities were bone marrow suppression and nausea/vomiting.

Oxaliplatin combined with capitabine is effective as a secondary line regimen for patients with advanced gastric cancer. This protocol is active and well tolerated. Further clinical studies are warranted.