Oxaliplatin and leucovorin plus fluorouracil versus irinotecan and leucovorin plus fluorouracil combination chemotherapy as a first-line treatment in patients with metastatic or recurred gastric adenocarcinoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We performed retrospective study in order to compare oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil (FOLFOX) versus irinotecan, leucovorin, and fluorouracil (FOLFIRI) in recurred or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We investigated 56 patients who were diagnosed with recurred or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma in a single center during march, 2003 to march, 2008. The patients received either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI chemotherapy. RESULTS: There were no significant difference between the Oxaliplatin group (30 patients) and Irinotecan group (26 patients) in sex, age, and ECOG performance (p<0.05). Oxaliplatin group showed 1 case of CR (3.3%) and 12 cases of PR (40%), making the response rate 43.3%. Irinotecan group showed CR in 2 cases (7.7%) and PR in 10 cases (38.5%), making the response rate 46.2%. The median value of time to progression was 4 months in the oxlaplatin group and 4.5 months in the irinotecan group. The overall survival showed no significant difference (p=0.784), with the irinotecan group (9.7 months) being slightly longer than the Oxaliplatin group (8.3 months). Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred similarly in both groups (4 cases in the oxalplatin group, 9 in the irinotecan group). CONCLUSIONS: Both combination treatment can be used safely and effectively in recurred or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma.