Background: The combination of a new oral dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase-inhibitory fluoropyrimidine (S-1) and cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most active chemotherapy regimens for gastric cancer. However, the optimum schedule for this combination has not yet been determined. This study was conducted to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended dose of CDDP when combined with 2-week S-1 administration, and to observe the safety and efficacy of the regimen as treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer.
Methods: S-1 was administered orally at a dose of 80 mg/m2 per day for 2 weeks, followed by a 2-week rest. CDDP was administered intravenously on day 8 of each course; the initial dose of CDDP was 60 mg/m2 and it was increased in 10-mg/m2 increments. Treatment was repeated every 4 weeks unless disease progression was observed.
Results: Eleven patients were enrolled. The main toxicities were leucopenia, neutropenia, nausea, and anorexia. These toxicities were not severe, and were reversible and manageable. The MTD for CDDP was established as 80 mg/m2, as 2 of 5 (40%) patients developed dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) at this level. Therefore, the recommended dose of CDDP was determined to be 70 mg/m2. All 11 patients were evaluable for a response: 8 achieved a partial response and 1 had stable disease. The overall response rate was 73%.
Conclusion: This regimen is considered to be generally well-tolerated and has substantial antitumor activity.