Combination of mitomycin C + etoposide in advanced gastric carcinoma

In June 1981 the authors activated a trial to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of the combination mitomycin C (MMC) + etoposide (VP 16) in previously untreated gastric carcinoma with measurable neoplastic lesions. Drugs were administered according to the following schedule: MMC, 12 mg/m2 i.v. day 1, + VP 16, 150-200 mg/m2 orally days 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, 24 every 6 weeks. The response rate (CR+PR) was 16.7%, which is not higher than that obtained when MMC and VP 16 are used as single agents. Overall median survival (8 months) was similar to that reported in the recent literature with combination chemotherapy.