Registry of gastric cancer treatment evaluation (REGATE): Baseline characteristics of 10,299 patients from 22 countries

Abstract

4575 Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most common cause of cancer death in the world. Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment provide new options in the management of this poor-prognosis disease. REGATE is an international disease registry designed to assess real-world practice patterns for patients (pts) with GC. Methods: Pts with newly diagnosed GC were enrolled. The target sample size was calculated according to the GC prevalence in participating countries. Data were collected at 2 visits occurring within a 10-month timeframe: baseline (pts and tumor characteristics, treatment plan) and after completion of initial treatment (actual therapy received). Characteristics of the patients at the time of enrollment are described. Results: From August 2004 to July 2008, 10,299 pts were enrolled by 223 investigators in 22 countries (Asia-Pacific 43%, Europe 31%, Latin-America 20%, and North Africa 6%). Characteristics are as follows. Median age 60 years (range: 18–104) with 23% of pts <50 years. Male 65%, female 35%; 91% of pts were symptomatic; 8% had family history of GC; and 32% had H. pylori infection. GC was diagnosed by endoscopy in 95% of pts. Primary tumor location: antrum 39%, body 39%, proximal 17%. Histopathological type was assessed using WHO, Lauren, and/or Ming classifications in 75%, 60% and 31% of pts, respectively. The most common histopathological sub-types were diffuse (51%) and intestinal (44%) according to Lauren; signet ring cell (41%) and tubular (22%) according to WHO. Most patients (55%) had a poorly/undifferentiated tumor. AJCC stage at diagnosis: I-21%, II-20%, III-21%, IV-38%. Initial choice of planned therapy was mainly based on stage (69% of pts) and determined by either a multidisciplinary team (41%) or a surgeon alone (37%). Conclusions: REGATE is the largest prospective international disease registry that provides new insight into the characteristics of patients with newly diagnosed GC. Results including worldwide treatment patterns over time are expected after all patients have completed their initial treatment. [Table: see text]