Oxaliplatin plus S-1 with intraperitoneal paclitaxel for the treatment of Chinese advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal metastases

BACKGROUND: In this study, we tried to access the efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin plus S-1 with intraperitoneal paclitaxel (PTX) for the treatment of Chinese advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer underwent laparoscopic exploration and were enrolled when macroscopic disseminated metastases (P1) were confirmed. PTX was diluted in 1 l of normal saline and IP administered through peritoneal port at an initial dose of 40 mg/m(2) over 1 h on day1,8, respectively. Oxaliplatin was administered intravenously at an initial dose of 100 mg/m(2) on day1, and S-1 was administered orally at an initial dose of 80 mg/m(2) for 14 days followed by 7 days rest, repeated by every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Of all these 30 patients, the median number of cycles was 6 (range 2–16) due to the limitation of hematotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy by oxaliplatin. There were 11 (36.7%) patients received conversion surgery. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 6.6 months (95% CI = 4.7–8.5 months) and the median overall survival (OS) was 15.1 months (95% CI = 12.4–17.8 months). The grade 3–4 hematological toxicities were leucopenia (23.3%), neutropenia (23.3%), anemia (16.7%), and thrombocytopenia (20%), respectively. The grade 3–4 non-hematological toxicities were tolerated, most of which were peripheral sensory neuropathy (40%) due to oxaliplatin, diarrhea (20%), nausea and vomiting (26.7%). CONCLUSIONS: SOX+ip PTX regimen was effective in advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis. Survival time was significantly prolonged by conversion surgery. Grade 3–4 toxicities were uncommon. Large scale clinical trial is necessary to get more evidence to identify its efficacy. TRAIL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR, ChiCTR-IIR-16009802. Registered 9 November 2016,