ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the short-term therapeutic effects and side effects of combined hydroxycamptothecine and oxaliplatin in the treatment of advanced digestive tract cancers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty patients suffering from advanced digestive tract tumors including gastric cancer 8, colorectal cancer 20, cholecystic cancer 1 and malignant fibroadenoma 1 were studied. They were treated with hydroxycamptothecine plus oxaliplatin for 2 cycles with interval of 21 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The complete response, partial response, stable disease and progressive disease rates were 3.3% (1/30), 36.7% (11/30), 53.3% (15/30) and 6.7% (3/30) respectively with an overall response rate (CR + PR) of 40.0% (12/30). In the whole 77 cycles, leukocytopenia was observed in 34 cycles (44.2%) and 19 cycles (55.9%) at grades III and IV. Diarrhea developed in 42 cycles (54.5%) and 20 cycles (47.6%) grades III and IV. The other side effects were fever, alopecia, nausea and vomiting, constipation, hepatic and renal function abnormity and neuritis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Satisfactory response rate is obtainable in advanced colorectal cancer as treated by hydroxycamptothecine plus oxaliplatin. The toxicity consists of severe leukocytopenia and diarrhea.</p>