Epirubicin, cisplatin and continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (ECF) in unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer: A single institution experience

Abstract

We aimed to search the efficacy and toxicity of epirubicin, cisplatin, continuous 5-fluorouracil regimen in unresectable or metastatic gastric cancers. Forty-one previously untreated patients were treated every 21 days with 5-fluorouracil (continuous intravenous infusion 200 mg/m2 per day), epirubicin (50 mg/m2, day 1) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2 day 1). Twenty-three patients had partial response (56%), 12 patients had stable disease (29%), 6 patients progressed (15%). A total of 167 cycles were administered. Grade 3/4 leukopenia was seen in 25 cycles (15%), anemia in 18 cycles (11%), thrombocytopenia in 4 cycles (4%), nausea in 46 cycles (28%), vomiting in 19 cycles (11%). The central venous catheter complications were pain in 1 patient (2%), infection in 1 patient (2%). The median time to progression was 4 months (range: 2.4-5.5), the median survival was 11 months (range: 9.5-12.4). In conclusion, our study confirms that this regimen is very active and well tolerated in unresectable or metastatic gastric cancers.