Feasibility study of S-1 plus weekly docetaxel combined with concurrent radiotherapy in advanced gastric cancer refractory to first-line chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: As there is no standard treatment for advanced gastric cancer refractory to first-line chemotherapy, the feasibility of S-1 plus weekly docetaxel combined with concurrent radiotherapy was evaluated.

Patients and methods: Ten patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were given S-1 at a daily dose of 40 mg/m(2) and docetaxel at a weekly dose of 20 mg/m(2) for 5 consecutive weeks, with concurrent radiotherapy (RT) amounting to a total irradiation dose of 45 Gy or 50.4 Gy.

Results: Hematological toxicities were grade 3 or less except for anemia. Non-hematological toxicities were all grade 2 or less, apart from one grade 3 asthenia. There was one treatment-related death, resulting from melena, in a patient with a mechanical device in the radiation field. Planned treatment was delivered with relative dose intensity for S-1, docetaxel and RT as 94%, 98% and 97%, respectively. Median survival time of 297 days was obtained, with an objective response seen in 2 patients and symptom relief achieved in all patients.

Conclusion: S-1 plus weekly docetaxel combined with concurrent RT exhibited a tolerable toxicity profile with sufficient symptom palliation and prolonged survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer refractory to first-line chemotherapy.