[Clinical study of THP-adriamycin in patients with advanced gastric cancer]

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of THP-adriamycin (THP), single agent chemotherapy and combination chemotherapy with THP were undertaken in 16 patients with advanced gastric cancer. In the eight patients in the THP single agent group. Only three minor responses (MRs) were obtained. However, three partial remissions (PRs) and one MR were observed in the eight patients in the THP combination group. In which 5-FU was two patient FT-207 in another two and CDDP in one. No severe side effects were observed with the THP chemotherapy, while leukopenia of less than 3,000/mm was commonly seen (69%). Only three patients showed alopecia. Thrombocytopenia of less than 30,000/mm3 and transient arrhythmia were observed in one patient each. These side effects were apparently milder than those with adriamycin. From a pharmacokinetic study of THP and adriamycin. It was found that THP was superior to adriamycin in its transferability from the blood to cancer tissue. In conclusion, it is suggested that combination chemotherapy with THP is useful for advanced gastric cancer.