Docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis in patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction: experience at the Medical University of Vienna.

Background: A retrospective analysis was carried out to evaluate toxicity and efficacy of the combination chemotherapy of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5fluorouracil (DCF) plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis (G-CSF) in patients with metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Patients and Methods: Eighteen patients received intravenous 75 mg/m(2) docetaxel, 75 mg/m(2) cisplatin, both given on day 1 and 750 mg/m(2) 5-fluorouracil, on days 1 to 5 plus G-CSF on day 6, all repeated every 3 weeks. Results: Response rate was 28%, time to progression and overall survival were 26 and 54 weeks, respectively. The most common hematological WHO toxicities were anemia and leukocytopenia, which occurred in 18/18 and in 12/18 patients. WHO Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in one patient whereas nonhematological toxicity was generally mild. Conclusion: We conclude that DCF combination plus G-CSF prophylaxis is a safe and active regimen for patients with metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.