Treatment Outcome and Safety of the TCX Regimen for Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome and safety of the paclitaxel, carboplatin, and capecitabine (TCX) regimen in patients with advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: Advanced gastric cancer patients received the TCX regimen for up to six cycles, which were 3 weeks apart. Paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) was given over a 3-hour infusion, followed by carboplatin in a 1-hour infusion on day 1. Capecitabine (850 mg/m2) was given orally twice daily from day 1 to day 14. Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among 83 patients at stage IVa and IVb, the median PFS was 9.3 months; 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year PFS were 74.6%, 32.5%, and 14.4%, respectively. The median OS was 17.0 months; 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year OS were 97.5%, 68.7%, and 21.7%, respectively. In the multivariable Cox regression model, higher CEA was associated with poor OS. Common adverse events included hand-food syndrome (77.9%), peripheral neuropathy (63.2%), fatigue (68.7%), and nausea (54.2%). CONCLUSION: The TCX regimen provided good survival and a better safety profile. More clinical trials are needed to confirm its treatment efficacy and safety, especially in comparison with other triplet regimens.