A modified DCF regimen as primary treatment for patients with metastatic gastric cancer

To retrospectively assess the efficacy and toxity of a modified docetaxel, cisplatin, fluorouracil (mDCF) regimen as primary treatment in patients with metastatic gastric cancer (MGC).

mDCF included folinic acid 400 mg/m(2) (day 1) + 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 400 mg/m(2) i.v. bolus (day 1) + 5-FU 2400 mg/m(2) 46-h infusion (days 1 and 2) + docetaxel 60 mg/m(2) (day 1) + cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) (day 1) and was administered once every two weeks in MGC patients.

Eighty-nine patients (median age 59 years, range 31-79) were enrolled. The median number of courses was 6 (range 2-12), and the total number was 492. The median follow-up duration was 8.6 months (range 2-14). Three (3.3%) patients showed complete response, 21 (23.6%) partial response, 36 (40.4%) stable disease, and progression was observed in 29 (32.6%) patients. The median progression- free survival (PFS) rate was 7 months (95% CI 5.7-8.2), and the median overall survival (OS) rate was 11 months (95% CI 9.7-12.2). The most common toxicity was neutropenia, which was observed in 52 (58.4%) patients.

mDCF with reduced drug doses, given every two weeks, is a rather efficient regimen for MGC patients.