Apatinib in combination with S-1 as first-line treatment in patients with advanced gastric cancer: A phase II clinical trial.

Abstract

71 Background: Apatinib is a standard therapy for advanced gastric cancer in third-line setting. However, the efficacy and safety of apatinib plus S-1 as first-line therapy is unknown. Here, we conducted a single center study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of it. Methods: In this phase II trial, chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced gastric cancer were enrolled between August 24, 2016 and Sept 25, 2017, at a single centers in P.R. China. The patients enrolled were assigned to S-1 plus apatinib, S-1 (40 mg m-2 depending on patient's body surface area) was given orally, twice daily for 2 consecutive weeks, followed by a 1-week rest period, and apatinib 500 mg was given once daily, every 3-week cycle. The primary endpoint was overall survival(OS). Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival(PFS), time to progress (TTP), objective response rate (ORR) and safety. On disease progression, patients had the option to receive single-agent apatinib every 3 weeks.This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT02525237. Results: Thirty eligible patients, median age 63 years (range 40-76) and median performance status 1 (ECOG 0-2) ,were enrolled, 9 patients have no evaluation or withdrew consent. Therefore, of the 21 patients the median PFS and TTP were 5.34±1.83 months [1.76–8.92] and 1.34±0.08 months[1.18–1.51], respectively. Additionally, one(4.76%) patient had a complete response, one (4.76%)patients had partial responses, 11 patients had stable disease, and 9 patients had progress of disease. The objective response rate(ORR)and the disease control rate(DCR) were 9.52%(2/21) and 57.14%(12/21),respectively. Until Sept 25.2017,the primary endpoint(OS) had not been reached. We recorded grade 3 or 4 adverse events including elevated bilirubin and/or transaminase, fatigue, abdominal pain, thrombocytopenia,et al. There were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusions: First-line chemotherapy with S-1 plus apatinib in patients with advanced gastric cancer did not reach its primary objective. However, it holds promise of becoming a standard first-line treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT02525237.