Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of oxaliplatin in combination with calcium folinate and fluorouracil (OXA-LV5FU2) regimen as the neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer.
Methods: Twenty-seven patients were treated with OXA-LV5FU2 before operation. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens containing OXA 100 mg/m(2) iv 2 h d1, LV 200 mg/m(2) iv 2 h followed by 5-FU 400 mg/m(2) iv bolus and 5-FU 1 g/m(2) iv 48-72 h d1, 2 were administered every 2 to 3 weeks for 3 to 4 cycles before local treatment. The responses of the primary tumor and the chemotherapy toxicity were observed in each patient.
Results: Twenty-four patients were treated with surgery. The radical resections were carried out in 14 cases. The overall clinical efficacy rate was 48.1% with 3.7% CR and 44.4% PR, SD was 33.3% and PD was 18.5%. Eight of the 27 cases were downstaged. The common toxicities were nausea, vomiting, peripheral neuropathy, leukocytopenia, alopecia and hepatosis. The toxicities relieved after symptomatic treatment. There was no relative risk of death during treatment.
Conclusion: OXA-LV5FU2 is a very effective and well tolerated regimen as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer.