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Simplified FOLFIRI in pre-treated patients with metastatic gastric cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

Second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) pre-treated with cisplatin is not a standard option. We studied a combination of irinotecan, fluorouracil and folates.

Methods

Patients progressive to cisplatin-based chemotherapy were enrolled. Irinotecan 180 mg/m2, folinic acid 200 mg/m2, and fluorouracil 400 mg/m2 were given on day 1, immediately followed by fluorouracil 2,400 mg/m2 46 h continuous infusion (simplified FOLFIRI), every 2 weeks.

Results

Between June 2002 and May 2003, 28 patients were treated. Median age was 57 years (range 38–68). Most patients had a distal primary (90%), and metastatic disease (71%). Partial response was obtained in six patients (21%, 95% CI 8–41) and stable disease in eight (21%, 95% CI 13–41). Among the six responsive patients three were refractory to docetaxel. At a median follow-up of 2.9 years median time to progression was 4 months (95% CI: 2–5), and median overall survival was 5 months (95% CI 4–9). Toxicity was mild, without treatment-related deaths or life-treating adverse events.

Conclusions

Simplified FOLFIRI was moderately active and well tolerated in unselected patients with MGC pre-treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Its role in patients refractory to taxanes is promising and warrants further investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy

    Katia Lorizzo, Nicola Fazio, Maria Giulia Zampino, Franco Nolè, Elena Magni, Raffaele Ardito, Ida Minchella, Andrea Rocca, Giovanni Di Meglio, Michela Squadroni & Filippo de Braud

  2. Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy

    Davide Radice

  3. Data Management, European Institute of Oncology, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy

    Sabrina Boselli & Leonardo Ariu

Authors
  1. Katia Lorizzo
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  2. Nicola Fazio
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  3. Davide Radice
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  4. Sabrina Boselli
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Correspondence to Katia Lorizzo.

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Lorizzo, K., Fazio, N., Radice, D. et al. Simplified FOLFIRI in pre-treated patients with metastatic gastric cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 64, 301–306 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-008-0871-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-008-0871-y

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