Clinical observation of raltitrexed combined with irinotecan as first-line chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer

Abstract

Objective To observe the efficacy and adverse reaction of raltitrexed combined with irinotecan as first-line chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer. Methods From January 2014 to March 2015, 39 patients of recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer who received treatment in the First People′s Hospital of Zhangjiagang of Jiangsu Province were collected. All patients received raltitrexed (3.0 mg/m2, 15 min intravenous drip) on the first day and irinotecan (180.0 mg/m2, 90 min intravenous drip) on the first day. One cycle lasted 21 days. The efficacies were evaluated every 2-cycle. Adverse reactions were evaluated every cycle. Results The efficacies and adverse reactions could be evaluated in 39 patients. The study received 0 complete remission, 16 partial remission, 11 stable disease, 12 progression disease. The objective response rate was 41.03% (16/39). The disease control rate was 69.23% (27/39). The median overall survival time was 9.3 months (95%CI: 8.8-11.1 months). The median progression-free survival time was 6.0 months (95%CI: 5.1-6.8 months). The adverse reactions were mainly neutropenia, anemia, liver dysfunction, the incidence of them were 35.90%, 33.33% and 28.21% respectively. Conlusion Raltitrexed combined with irinotecan as first-line chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer acquires an definite efficacy, and the adverse reactions can be tolerated, which is worthy of further clinical research. Key words: Stomach neoplasms; Drug therapy; Raltitrexed; Irinotecan