ABSTRACT
Objective To study the clinical efficacy and safety of the regimen of oxaliplatin plus epirubicin and capecitabine (EOX)as the second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer.Methods We randomly divided 107 patients with advanced gastric cancer for treatment between January 1,2010 and June 1,2013 in our hospital after DCF chemotherapy failed into EOX group (n=56)and FOLFIRI group (n=51).We observed the response rate (RR),disease control rate (DCR),time to progression (PFS),overall survival (OS)and adverse reactions in the two groups.Results RR in EXO group and FOLFIRI group was 28.57% and 25.49%,respectively,without significant difference (P＞0.05).DCR in EXO group and FOLFIRI group was 73.21% and 66.67%,without significant difference (P＞0.05).The median progression-free time (mPFS)in EOX group and FOLFIRI group was 7.4 months and 8.1 months (χ2=0.547,P=0.460),and the median overall survival (mOS)was 19.3 months and 18.5 months (χ2=1.886,P=0.170).The mainly side effects associated with the regimen were leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea/vomiting, hand-foot syndrome, stomatitis, and peripheral neurotoxicity. Neutropenia,thrombocytopenia,anemia,and diarrhea in EOX group were more frequent than those in FOLFIRI group (P＜0.05).Conclusion The regimen based on EOX is effective in patients with advanced gastric cancer after DCF chemotherapy failed and the toxicities are tolerable.