ABSTRACT
Background: Chemotherapy improves survival in advanced gastric cancer. However the most active combinations have a high level of toxicity that limits their use. Aim: To assess the response, toxicity and survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer, treated with oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy). Material and methods: Patients with stage IVgastric cancer, according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer or with relapsed disease and functional capacity 0-2 of the South West Oncology Group, were included. FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy was used as first or second line treatment. The response to treatment and survival were assessed. Results: Between 2003 and 2006, 29 patients (median age 52.5 years, 69 percent males) were treated. FOLFOX-4 was given as first line treatment in 65 percent patients and as second line in 35 percent. There was a complete response in 4.6 percent, partial response in 68 percent, stable disease in 20.6 percent and progression in 6.8 percent. Toxicity was observed in 51 percent of patients, that was hematological and non hematological grade 3/4 in 14 percent. Median survival was 12.5 months. Conclusions: FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy was active in advanced gastric cancer and had a low level of toxicity.