Effect of the Weekly Administration of Liposome–Paclitaxel Combined with S-1 on Advanced Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed to assess the efficacy and toxicity of weekly liposome-paclitaxel and S-1 combination therapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: The chemotherapy regime was 80 mg/m(2) liposome-paclitaxel given on days 1, 8, 15 and 22, combined with S-1 60 mg (body surface area > 1.5) or 50 mg (1.25 < body surface area < 1.5) twice a day on days 1-28, 6 weeks as one cycle. The patients continued to be treated until they received four cycles or until they developed either progressive disease or untolerated toxicity. The response rate, progression-free survival, overall survival and toxicity were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients were enrolled, and the median age was 60 years (range = 38-70 years; 39 males and 17 females). The response rate and disease control rate were 25% (14/56) and 87.5% (49/56), respectively. The median progression-free survival was 6.1 months (95% confidence interval: 5.0-7.2), and the median overall survival was 10.6 months (95% confidence interval: 7.2-14.0). The most frequent hematological toxicities were neutropenia and anemia, which occurred in 22 (48.9%) and 11 (19.6%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The weekly administration of a combined regimen of liposome-paclitaxel plus S-1 is effective and has a favorable toxicity profile for advanced gastric cancer.