[Feasibility study of weekly paclitaxel as second-line chemotherapy against 5-FU-refractory gastric carcinoma]

The present study investigated the efficacy and feasibility of weekly paclitaxel for advanced/recurrent gastric cancer. Subjects comprised 23 patients with advanced/recurrent gastric cancer who had been treated using a 5-FU-containing regimen. Paclitaxel was administered at a dose of 80 mg/m(2), 3 times every 4 weeks. Dexamethasone, diphenhydramine and ranitidine chloride were given 30 min before paclitaxel as premedication. The mean number of treatment cycles was 6.4 (range, 1-28). Response rate was 40.0% (4/10) with measurable lesions. Among 13 patients without measurable lesions, 3 cases revealed improvements on colonography, 1 case displayed decreased ascites on abdominal computed tomography, and 1 case recovered from disseminated intravascular coagulopathy due to bone metastases. Median survival time was 258 days, and median time to progression was 140 days. Grade 3 leukocytopenia and neutropenia occurred in 13.0% of patients. All non-hematological toxicity was low-grade, including that involving the gastrointestinal system. Weekly paclitaxel appears effective and safe for 5-FU-refractory gastric cancer.