Treatment of advanced gastric cancer with a modified regimen of etoposide/leucovorin/5-fluorouracil

The efficacy and toxicity of a combination of etoposide 100 mg/m(2)/day iv on day 2-4, leucovorin 300 mg/m(2)/day iv, and 5-FU 500 mg/m(2) day iv on day 1-5 every 4 weeks were assessed in 21 patients with advanced gastric cancer with measurable or evaluable diseases. Eight patients had an objective response, including 3 in CR. The overall response rate was 38.1% (95% CI 33.4-42.8%). Five of 8 patients who exhibited locally advanced and unresectable diseases had an objective response (2 CR, 3 PR). The response rate in patients with metastatic disease was 23.0% (95% CI 14.4-31.6%). The median progression-free interval and overall survival time were 7 and 10 months, respectively. The most frequent side effect was alopecia (Gr I/II 71.4%). No treatment-related death occurred. Modified ELF is a relatively effective and tolerable combination regimen for advanced gastric cancer and can be safely administered to elderly patients and patients with systemic diseases.