Phase I/II study of intraperitoneal docetaxel plus S-1 for the gastric cancer patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis

Purpose

We designed a phase I/II trial of intraperitoneal (IP) docetaxel plus S-1 to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose (RD) and to evaluate its efficacy and safety in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC).

Methods

Patients with PC confirmed by laparoscopy or laparotomy received IP docetaxel on days 1 and 15 and S-1 (80 mg/m²) on days 1–14 every 4 weeks.

Results

In the phase I part (n = 12), each cohort received escalating doses of docetaxel (35–50 mg/m²); the MTD was determined to be 50 mg/m² and the RD was determined to be 45 mg/m². Dose-limiting toxicities included grade 3 febrile neutropenia and grade 3 diarrhea. In the phase II part (n = 27), the median number of courses was 4 (range 2–11). The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate was 70 % (95 % confidence interval 53–87 %). The overall response rate was 22 % and peritoneal cytology turned negative in 18 of 22 (81 %) patients. The most frequent grade 3/4 toxicities included anorexia (19 %), neutropenia (7 %), and leukopenia (7 %).

Conclusion

IP docetaxel plus S-1 is active and safety in gastric cancer patients with PC.     

Pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in gastric cancer patients with malignant ascites

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether intravenous (i.v.) administration allowed docetaxel to penetrate ascites in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination.

Patients and methods

Twelve patients with disseminated gastric carcinoma were enrolled in the study. All patients received docetaxel-containing drug regimens: i.v. administration of 40 mg/m² docetaxel in 6 patients, and 60 mg/m² in the remainder. Docetaxel concentrations in the plasma and ascites were measured.

Results

Docetaxel was detected in the ascites of 4 patients in the 40 mg/m² group and 5 patients in the 60 mg/m² group. The highest concentration of docetaxel in plasma was detected at immediately after administration (median: 1,660 ng/mL, 501–2,560 ng/mL), after which it gradually decreased. The highest concentration of docetaxel in ascites was observed at ~7 h after administration and varied among cases (median: 18 ng/mL, 11–52 ng/mL).

Conclusion

Intravenous administration allows to penetrate ascites in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination.     

A phase II study of neoadjuvant docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and S-1 (DOS) chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy in potentially resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma

Purpose

Adjuvant chemotherapy trial of TS-1 for gastric cancer study demonstrated that postoperative S-1 chemotherapy for 1 year improved overall survival of locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) patients. The goals of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and S-1 (DOS) chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy.

Methods

In this single-center, open-label, phase II study, patients with potentially resectable adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction were eligible. For neoadjuvant chemotherapy, docetaxel 50 mg/m² on day (D) 1, oxaliplatin 100 mg/m² on D1, and S-1 40 mg/m² bid orally on D1–14 were administrated every 3 weeks for three cycles. After DOS chemotherapy, gastrectomy was performed, and then, adjuvant S-1 40 mg/m² bid was given on D1–28 every 6 weeks for 1 year. The primary endpoints were the proportion of patients who did not experience grade 3 or 4 toxicities (except grade 3 neutropenia) and R0 resection rates.

Results

A total of 41 patients were enrolled. All patients completed three planned cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy without disease progression. Eighteen patients (43.9 %) did not experience any grade 3–4 toxicity (except grade 3 neutropenia) during the neoadjuvant chemotherapy. All patients underwent surgery, and R0 resection was achieved in 40 patients (97.6 %).

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant DOS chemotherapy could be performed safely with a high R0 resection rate in LAGC patients. A phase III trial is currently underway.     

Preoperative S-1 and docetaxel combination chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer

Purpose

The combination of docetaxel and S-1 (DS) therapy is effective in patients with unrespectable gastric cancer and is expected to be a regimen in neoadjuvant setting for advanced gastric cancer. This study was held to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DS followed by surgery.

Methods

Patients with resectable gastric cancer received 2 courses of docetaxel 40 mg/m² on days 1, 15 and S-1 40 mg/m² bid orally on days 1–7, 15–21 every 4 weeks, followed by standard radical gastrectomy. Primary end point was the pathological response rate: rate of tumors in which one-third or more parts were affected.

Results

Fourteen patients were enrolled. Thirteen (92.8 %) patients completed two courses of chemotherapy. Grade 3 adverse events were neutropenia in 3 (21.4 %) patients, anemia in 1 (6.2 %) patient and diarrhea in 1 (6.2 %) patient. There were no grade 4 adverse event and febrile neutropenia. All patients underwent R0 resection, and pathological response was found in 50.0 % of patients. There were no major surgical complications and no treatment-related mortality.

Conclusions

The neoadjuvant chemotherapy with DS was effective for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer with manageable toxicities. Further study to confirm the usefulness of this regimen is needed.     

Phase II study of S-1 and docetaxel for previously treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose

The purpose of the present phase II study was to evaluate both the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of S-1 and docetaxel in previously treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods

Thirty-eight previously treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer were treated with S-1 (80 mg/m², days 1–14, oral) and docetaxel (40 mg/m², day 1, intravenous) every 3 weeks.

Results

No complete response was observed, and seven patients had a partial response, yielding an overall response rate of 18.4% (95% CI, 7.7–34.3%). The median overall survival time and 1-year overall survival rate were 16.1 months and 60%, respectively. The median progression-free survival time was 4.4 months. Myelosuppression was the main toxicity with grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and leukopenia in 50 and 21%, respectively. There was no irreversible toxicity in this study.

Conclusions

The combination of S-1 and docetaxel is well tolerable and has substantial activity for patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. A phase III trial comparing docetaxel with or without S-1 would warrant further investigation.     

Three-year outcomes of a phase II study of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus docetaxel for stage III gastric cancer after curative D2 gastrectomy

Background

We have previously reported the superior feasibility and safety of adjuvant S-1 plus docetaxel in patients with stage III gastric cancer during a prospective phase II study. We report 3-year follow-up data on patients enrolled in this study.

Patients and methods

Fifty-three patients with histologically confirmed stage III gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy were enrolled into this study. They received oral S-1 (80 mg/m²/day) for 2 consecutive weeks and intravenous docetaxel (40 mg/m²) on day 1, repeated every 3 weeks (one cycle). Treatment was initiated within 45 days after surgery and repeated for four cycles, followed by S-1 monotherapy (4 weeks on, 2 weeks off) until 1 year after surgery. Three-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated.

Results

The OS rate at 3 years was 78.4 % [95 % confidence interval (CI), 67.9–90.6 %] and the DFS rate at 3 years was 66.2 % (95 % CI, 54.4–80.7 %). Subgroup analyses according to disease stage showed a 3-year OS and DFS rate of 85.7 % (95 % CI, 74.9–98.1 %) and 70.8 % (95 % CI, 57.1–87.8 %) for stage IIIA, and 62.5 % (95 % CI, 42.8–91.4 %) and 56.2 % (95 % CI, 36.5–86.7 %) for stage IIIB, respectively.

Conclusions

On the basis of 3-year follow-up data, postoperative adjuvant therapy with S-1 plus docetaxel yielded promising OS and DFS in stage IIIA gastric cancer patients who had undergone D2 gastrectomy. We believe that this regimen is a candidate for future phase III trials studying the optimal adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for stage III gastric cancer.     

Combination of low-dose docetaxel and standard-dose S-1 for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer: efficacy, toxicity, and potential predictive factor

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of low dose of docetaxel in combination with standard dose of S-1 for patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer and to investigate whether the protein expression level of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase is a predictive factor of toxicities or responses.

Methods

Between March 2010 and December 2011, 61 patients from the Department of Medical Oncology of Shanghai Zhong Shan Hospital, Fudan University, were enrolled in the study. Patients with advanced or recurrent gastric adenocarcinoma were treated with docetaxel of 40 mg/m² intravenously on day 1 and S-1 of 80 mg/m² orally on days 1–14 every 3 weeks as first-line chemotherapy. The chemotherapeutic effects were evaluated following every 3 cycles of chemotherapy using the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST). The serum of peripheral blood was obtained at the start of the study and at each evaluation point to analyze the protein expression level of DPD, which was estimated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All the patients were followed-up until the time of progression, death, or the censor time, to calculate progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) time.

Results

In total, 61 patients [median age 60 years (range 28–76 years)] received a total of 318 treatment cycles [median 5 (range 2–9)], and 94 cycles of single S-1 maintenance treatment. One complete response (CR) and 25 partial responses (PR) were observed, with an overall response rate of 42.6 %. A total of 29 patients (47.5 %) had stable disease (SD) and 6 patients (9.8 %) had progressive disease (PD). The disease control rate (DCR, CR + PR + SD) was 90.2 %. Median overall survival was 13.0 months [95 % confidence interval (CI) 10.76–15.24 months], and median PFS was 6.0 months (95 % CI 4.61–7.39 months). Progression-free survival was far longer in peritoneal metastatic patients than that in patients with other metastases (7.3 ± 2. 6 vs. 5.4 ± 2.8 months; P < 0.05); however, this was not the case for OS. Grade 3–4 neutropenia was well controlled and grade 4 non-hematologic toxicities did not occur. Baseline expression level of DPD was not associated with efficacy. Lower expression level of DPD was correlated with high grade of toxicities (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This combination of standard dose of S-1 and low dose of docetaxel is effective and well tolerated in patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. Peritoneal metastasis is treated more effectively by this regimen than other forms of metastases. Baseline DPD expression level in the serum is associated with toxicity, but not tumor response.     

Pilot study of a combination of S-1 and paclitaxel for patients with peritoneal metastasis from gastric cancer

Background

This pilot study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapy for patients with peritoneal dissemination from gastric cancer or positive lavage cytology diagnosed by staging laparoscopy.

Methods

Sixteen patients were enrolled. Paclitaxel was administered at 120 mg/m² on day 1 and S-1 was administered orally at 80 mg/m² for 14 consecutive days, followed by a 1-week rest, as one course. After five courses of this therapy, the primary gastric tumors were evaluated and second-look laparoscopy was performed for patients showing partial response or stable disease with clinical benefit.

Results

Partial response or stable disease with clinical benefit was confirmed in seven and five patients, respectively, and these patients underwent second-look laparoscopy. No viable cancer cells were detected on cytopathological investigation during second-look laparoscopy in 9 patients who underwent surgical treatment. The intent-to-treat response rate for gastric tumor was 44% and the rate of disappearance of peritoneal metastasis was 38% (6 cases) at surgery. The median survival time was 555 days. Leucopenia of grade 3 and neutropenia of grade 3 were recognized in two and three patients, respectively.

Conclusion

This chemotherapy regimen may be an acceptable option for patients with peritoneal dissemination. We plan to study this regimen further in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination.     

A phase II study of neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 for locally advanced resectable gastric cancer: nucleotide excision repair (NER) as potential chemoresistance marker

Purpose

The combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 (DCS) chemotherapy is expected to be a promising regimen for advanced gastric cancer. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant DCS chemotherapy for locally advanced resectable gastric cancer.

Methods

Patients with locally advanced gastric cancer received 2 courses of preoperative chemotherapy with S-1 (40 mg/m² b.i.d.) on days 1–14 and docetaxel (60 mg/m²) plus cisplatin (60 mg/m²) on day 8 every 3 weeks, followed by standard curative surgery within 4–8 weeks. The primary endpoint was R0 resectability. Expression of damage DNA binding protein complex subunit 2 (DDB2)/excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1) in the pretreated tumor tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry.

Results

A total of 43 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The response rate was 74.4 %, and disease control ratio was 100 %. Grade 4 neutropenia developed in 53.5 % of patients and febrile neutropenia in 16.3 %. Non-hematological grade 3/4 adverse events were anorexia (23.3 %), nausea (14.0 %), and diarrhea (23.3 %), but these were generally transient and manageable. The proportion of R0 resections in the 43 eligible patients was 90.7 %, and a pathological response was found in 65.9 % of patients. There were no treatment-related deaths and no major surgical complications. The accuracy of the combination of DDB2 and ERCC1 expression for predicting chemoresistance was 82.5 %.

Conclusions

Preoperative treatment with DCS combination for locally advanced gastric cancer demonstrated a sufficient R0 resection rate and a good pathological response with manageable toxicities. The DDB2/ERCC1-high phenotype, as determined by immunohistochemistry, may be useful predictor of resistance to DCS chemotherapy.     

Experimental study to evaluate the usefulness of S-1 in a model of peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer

Background

Favorable results have been reported for the novel oral anticancer agent S-1 (TS-1^®) in clinical studies of advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination. In the present study we assessed its pharmacokinetics, inhibitory effects, and effect on survival time in an animal model.

Methods

A model of peritoneal dissemination was created by intraperitoneally implanting 4-week-old female BALBc nu/nu mice with the human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 after transfection with a fluorescent protein-expressing vector. Pharmacokinetics were investigated by measuring intratumor, peritoneal lining, and blood concentrations after the administration of S-1 and fluorouracil (5-FU). The effect of S-1 on survival time was also assessed, by administration once daily to seven animals per group, starting on day 7 after implantation, and survival time was compared with that of an untreated control group. The inhibitory effect of S-1 on peritoneal dissemination was evaluated by killing mice at the start of administration, and 1 and 3 weeks after the start of administration, and examining them for the presence of peritoneal dissemination under a fluorescence stereomicroscope.

Results

Maintenance of high 5-FU concentrations in the intraperitoneal tumors was confirmed in the S-1 group, and survival time was prolonged without any decrease in oral food intake or body weight.

Conclusion

Assessment in a model of peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer showed that the novel oral anticancer agent S-1 was effective against peritoneal dissemination, and that it improved the survival rate.

     

Survival analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin for stage III gastric cancer

Background

We previously reported that S-1 plus cisplatin was feasible as adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy. Herein we evaluate the recurrence-free survival and overall survival rates as secondary endpoints based on updated follow-up data.

Methods

Patients with stage III gastric cancer who underwent D2 gastrectomy were enrolled. Treatment consisted of 3 cycles of S-1 (40 mg/m² PO) twice daily on days 1–21 and cisplatin (60 mg/m² IV) on day 8, and S-1 was given on days 1–28 every 6 weeks until 1 year after surgery.

Results

From August 2007 to September 2009, 63 patients were accrued. Overall, 34 and 25 patients had stage IIIA and IIIB disease, respectively. After a median follow-up of 3.9 years, 16 patients experienced recurrence and 11 patients died. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rate was 74.1 % (95 % CI: 60.8–83.5 %, IIIA 81.8 %, IIIB 64.0 %). The 3-year overall survival rate was 84.5 % (95 % CI: 72.3–91.6 %, IIIA 87.9 %, IIIB 80.0 %). Recurrence sites included the peritoneum (n = 8), hematogenous sites (n = 6), and lymph nodes (n = 4).

Conclusion

The present results indicate that adjuvant therapy with S-1 plus 3 cycles of cisplatin may provide a survival benefit to patients with stage III gastric cancer.     

Feasibility study of alternate-day S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer: a randomized controlled trial

Background

The Adjuvant Chemotherapy Trial of S-1 for Gastric Cancer established oral S-1 administration for 1 year as the standard postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer in Japan. We conducted a multicenter cooperative prospective study comparing daily and alternate-day S-1 administration as postoperative adjuvant therapy for gastric cancer.

Methods

Patients with Stage II or III gastric cancer who underwent curative surgery were randomly assigned to receive standard daily S-1 administration [group A: 80–120 mg/day S-1 depending on body surface area (BSA); days 1–28 every 6 weeks for 1 year] or alternate-day administration (group B: 80–120 mg/day S-1 depending on BSA; alternate days for 15 months). Treatment completion rate was the primary endpoint, and relative dose intensity and safety, overall survival, and relapse-free survival (RFS) were secondary endpoints.

Results

Seventy-three patients were enrolled. The treatment completion rate was 72.2 % in group A and 91.8 % in group B; the relative dose intensity was 67.5 % in group A and 81.2 % in group B; and compliance was better in group B. Digestive system adverse effects were less frequent in group B than in group A. Median follow-up time was 2.8 years; 3-year survival rate was 69.6 % in group A and 87.3 % in group B; and 3-year RFS rate was 76.4 % in group A and 73.1 % in group B.

Conclusions

Our data show improved compliance and fewer adverse effects with alternate-day S-1 administration, which appears to be a more sustainable option for adjuvant chemotherapy for Stage II or III gastric cancer.     

Safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of S-1 in a hemodialysis patient with advanced gastric cancer

Purpose

The safety and efficacy of S-1 in hemodialysis patients have not been established. We evaluated the safety and efficacy and pharmacokinetics of S-1 in a hemodialysis patient with advanced gastric cancer.

Patient

A 66-year-old Japanese man with chronic renal failure, who had undergone hemodialysis three times a week for 3 years. Based on the diagnosis of stage IV gastric cancer, S-1 therapy was started. S-1 was administered 11 times at a daily dose of 23.5 mg/m² (40 mg/body) after hemodialysis, followed by a rest. One course was a period of 28 days. Blood samples were obtained after the first administration of S-1 and before beginning the fourth course. The concentration of 5-FU was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) of 5-FU was 2647.2 ng h/mL after administration of S-1 of 23.5 mg/m² (40 mg/body). During the S-1 treatment, serious adverse events such as neutropenia were not observed; however, decreases in hemoglobin level were observed (grade 3). The treatment was well tolerated. After the second course of chemotherapy, the primary lesion showed a partial response and lymph node metastases and liver metastases showed stable disease.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that S-1 is an important treatment option for patients with hemodialysis with advanced gastric cancer.     

A phase I trial of S-1 with concurrent radiotherapy in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer

Background

The purpose of this phase I trial of S-1 chemotherapy in combination with pelvic radiotherapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended dose (RD), and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of S-1.

Methods

We enrolled 9 patients between April 2005 and March 2009. Radiotherapy (total dose, 60 Gy in 30 fractions) was given to the gross local recurrent tumor and pelvic nodal metastases using three-dimensional radiotherapy planning. We administered oral S-1 twice a day on days 1–14 and 22–35 during radiotherapy. The dose of S-1 was initially 60 mg/m²/day and was increased to determine the MTD and RD for this regimen.

Results

DLT appeared at dose level 2 (70 mg/m²/day) in 2 patients, who experienced grade 3 enterocolitis and consequently required suspension of S-1 administration for longer than 2 weeks. Hematological toxicity was mild and reversible. At the initial evaluation, complete regression and partial regression were seen in 1 patient (11%) and 2 patients (22%), respectively.

Conclusion

This phase I trial of S-1 chemotherapy with pelvic radiotherapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer revealed that the MTD for S-1 was 70 mg/m²/day and the RD was 60 mg/m²/day.     

A multicenter phase II study of combined chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 in patients with unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer (KDOG 0601)

Purpose

We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a triplet regimen of docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 in patients with unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer.

Methods

Docetaxel (40?mg/m²) and cisplatin (70 or 60?mg/m²) were given on day 1 of a 28-day cycle. S-1 (40?mg/m²) was given twice daily on days 1?C14. Treatment with this regimen was continued for a maximum of 6 cycles. Subsequently, patients with no disease progression received a combination of docetaxel and S-1.

Results

Fifty-nine patients were enrolled. The median number of administered cycles was 8 (range, 1?C25). Because some patients had serious myelosuppression and renal dysfunction with 70?mg/m² of cisplatin, dose of cisplatin was reduced to 60?mg/m² after 19 patients had been treated. Common severe toxic effects of grade 3 or 4 were leukocytopenia (44%), neutropenia (72%), anemia (15%), and febrile neutropenia (14%). The overall response rate of this group was 81% (95% confidence interval (CI), 71?C91%). The median overall survival and progression-free survival were 18.5 (95% CI, 15.6?C21.5) and 8.7 (95% CI, 6.7?C10.7) months, respectively.

Conclusions

Triplet of docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 is a well-tolerated and highly active regimen for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. A 60?mg/m² of cisplatin is as effective as 70?mg/m² of cisplatin.     

Stratified phase II trial to establish the usefulness of the collagen gel droplet embedded culture-drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) for advanced gastric cancer

Background

We conducted a multicenter phase II trial to assess the suitability of three types of chemotherapy (docetaxel plus S-1, irinotecan plus S-1, or S-1 alone) for patients with advanced gastric cancer by means of the collagen gel droplet embedded culture-drug sensitivity test (CD-DST). To our knowledge, this is the first multicenter clinical trial that has employed CD-DST to choose anticancer agents for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

Methods

Subjects (n = 64) were patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. Patients were allocated to one of the treatment regimens on the basis of CD-DST results. Outcome of the patients was compared between the groups deemed chemosensitive or chemoresistant by the CD-DST.

Results

Thirty-three patients showed high sensitivity (T/C ratio <60 %) to at least one type of anticancer agent (sensitive group), and 31 showed low sensitivity (T/C ratio ≥60 %) to all agents (resistant group). Specifically, the 1-year survival rate was significantly higher in the sensitive group (78.5 %; 95 % CI, 67.2–94.7 %) than in the resistant group (54.7 %; 95 % CI, 38.7–74.3 %; P = 0.019), whereas time to progression (TTP) was significantly longer in the sensitive group (59.8 %; 95 % CI, 48.2–81.7 %) than in the resistant group (30.0 %; 95 % CI 13.6–46.4 %; P = 0.023). Median survival time was also significantly longer in the sensitive group (15.5 months; 95 % CI, 12.8–18.2) than in the resistant group (12.5 months; 95 % CI, 10.2–14.9; P = 0.038).

Conclusions

CD-DST predicts the outcome of patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer, presumably through evaluating chemosensitivity.     

Phase II study of S-1 as first-line treatment for elderly patients over 75 years of age with advanced gastric cancer: the Tokyo Cooperative Oncology Group study

Purpose

This prospective multicenter phase II study was carried out to investigate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of S-1 monotherapy in elderly patients over 75 years of age, with unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer.

Methods

Patients had measurable or evaluable lesions according to the Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma. S-1 (25–60 mg determined by the body surface area and creatinine clearance) was given orally, twice daily. A course of treatment consisted of 4-week administration followed by a 2-week rest period, and the patients received repeated courses.

Results

Thirty-three patients were enrolled. Pharmacokinetics of S-1 was studied in six patients, and the maximum plasma concentrations of respective metabolites after S-1 administration were found to be similar to those reported for younger cancer patients. The overall response rate in 33 patients was 21.2% (95% CI, 10.7–37.8%), and median progression-free survival was 3.9 months, with a median overall survival of 15.7 months. Frequently noted adverse events include leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia, anorexia, and fatigue. As for serious adverse events, relatively higher frequencies of anemia (9%) and anorexia (12%) of grade 3 severity were found, but there were no grade 4 episodes.

Conclusions

The results suggest that S-1 monotherapy is safe and useful for elderly patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer when the dose is selected with caution, taking into account renal function.     

Phase II study of S-1, docetaxel and cisplatin combination chemotherapy in patients with unresectable metastatic gastric cancer

Purpose

We evaluated the activity and toxicity of docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 (DCS) combination chemotherapy in patients with unresectable metastatic gastric cancer.

Methods

Patients with histologically proven, unresectable metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, performance status (PS) 0–2, and no prior chemotherapy were eligible. Patients received oral S-1 (40 mg/m² b.i.d.) on days 1–14 and intravenous cisplatin (60 mg/m²) and docetaxel (60 mg/m²) on day 8 every 3 weeks.

Results

Thirty-four patients were enrolled between March 2005 and April 2007. Three patients were considered ineligible and did not receive the DSC therapy. Clinical characteristics were as follows: median age, 63 years (range, 44–77); PS, 0/1/2: 23/8/0; women/men, 8/23; and well-differentiated/undifferentiated adenocarcinoma, 10/21. The objective response rate was 87.1% with 1 complete response (3.2%) and 26 partial responses (83.9%) in 31 assessable patients. Four had stable disease (12.9%) but none had progressive disease. Of these 27 responders, 8 (25.8%) achieved downstaging and 7 (22.6%) underwent curative surgery. The median survival time and progression-free survival were 687 days [confidence interval (95% CI), 600.0–1,138.1] and 226 days (95% CI, 182.5–379.3), respectively. Most common grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity was neutropenia (77.4%). Most common grade 3 nonhematologic toxicities included anorexia (35.5%) and nausea (32.3%). All treatment-related toxicities resolved, and no toxic deaths were observed.

Conclusions

DCS combination chemotherapy is highly active against unresectable metastatic gastric cancer and can be given safely with proper management of adverse events. Further studies of this combination are warranted.     

A phase II study of doxifluridine and docetaxel combination chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer

Background

The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy and safety of doxifluridine and docetaxel for patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer.

Methods

The regimen consisted of oral administration of doxifluridine 533 mg/m² per day on days 1–14 and an intravenous infusion of docetaxel 50 mg/m² on day 8. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate. The secondary endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival, and toxicities.

Results

Between June 2004 and December 2006, a total of 40 eligible patients were enrolled in this study. Seven of them showed a partial response, with an overall response rate of 17.5%. The response rate was 18.8% in 32 patients with refractory tumors. The median progression-free survival time and the median overall survival time were 2.6 months and 12.7 months, respectively, in all 40 patients; and 2.6 months and 14.0 months, respectively, in the 32 patients with refractory tumors. Grade 3/4 hematological toxicity included neutropenia in 52.5%, leukocytopenia in 17.5%, and febrile neutropenia in 7.5%. Grade 3 or more nonhematological toxicities were infrequent.

Conclusion

The combination chemotherapy of doxifluridine and docetaxel was well tolerated and relatively effective when used as a second-line chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer.     

Evaluation of S-1 as third- or further-line chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Background

No investigation of S-1 monotherapy in previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has yet been reported. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of S-1 in patients with failure of second- or further-line chemotherapy.

Patients and methods

The records of NSCLC patients who had received S-1 monotherapy between January 2005 and November 2006 with the following eligibility criteria were reviewed: previously treated with at least two regimens including platinum and docetaxel in the case of nonadenocarcinoma patients, and including platinum, docetaxel and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) in the case of adenocarcinoma patients. S-1 was administered for 28 consecutive days, followed by a 14-day drug-free period (42 days in one course). The drug was administered in two divided doses daily at 80 mg/day for patients with a body surface area <1.25 m², 100 mg/day for those with a body surface area of 1.25–1.5 m², and 120 mg/day for those with a body surface area ≥1.5 m².

Results

Thirty-five patients were registered. The median number of courses administered per patient was 2 (range 1–9). The toxicity profile was mild, and grade 3 or more severe toxicity was rare. The overall response and disease control rates were 5.7% and 40%, respectively. The median survival time was 208 days.

Conclusion

S-1 exhibits modest activity and acceptable toxicity when used as a third or subsequent line of chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.