J Korean Med Sci.  2002 Jun;17(3):348-352. 10.3346/jkms.2002.17.3.348.

Epirubicin, Cisplatin, and Protracted Venous Infusion of 5-Fluorouracil for Advanced Gastric Carcinoma

• Cho EK
• Lee WK
• Lim DY
• Bang SM
• Park DK
• Park YH
• Kwon OS
• Choi DJ
• Shin DB
• Lee JH
• Lee TH

• KMID: 1101549
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2002.17.3.348

Abstract

To evaluate the activity and safety of a combination chemotherapy with epirubicin, cisplatin, and a protracted venous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (ECF) in unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer, a phase II study was performed. Thirty-five chemotherapy-naive patients were given ECF. Epirubicin (50 mg/m2 intravenous, IV) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2 IV) were administered every three weeks during a continuous intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/m2 /day) using infusion pump. One complete response and 19 partial responses (response rate=62%) were achieved. Eight patients remained stable, whereas in four patients the disease progressed. The median duration of response was 22 weeks (95% confidence interval, 18-27 weeks). The median survival for all patients was 10 months (95% confidence interval, 6-14 months), with a 1-yr survival rate of 40%. A total of 184 cycles of chemotherapy were administered. Grade 3 or 4 emesis occurred in 3%, mucositis in 2%, anemia in 10%, and leukopenia in 3% of the cycles. Central venous catheter complications that required line removal occurred in 37% (n=13) of the patients. No patient died of toxicity. Overall, the ECF regimen showed high anti-tumor activity with a tolerable toxicity pattern.

Keyword

Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Epirubicin; Cisplatin; Fluorouracil; Infusion Pumps

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/*administration & dosage/adverse effects
Cisplatin/*administration & dosage/adverse effects
Epirubicin/*administration & dosage/adverse effects
Female
Fluorouracil/*administration & dosage/adverse effects
Humans
Infusion Pumps
Infusions, Intravenous
Male
Middle Aged
Stomach Neoplasms/*drug therapy/mortality/secondary
Survival Analysis