[Successful downstaging by a low-dose, fractional administration of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) in combination with cisplatin in peritoneal lavage cytology positive, 5-fluorouracil refractory advanced gastric cancer patients].

A 46-year-old Japanese female with advanced gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology and who was refractory to methotrexate plus 5-FU sequential chemotherapy received low-dose, fractional irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) in combination with cisplatin. This regimen could be repeated biweekly on an outpatient basis and was well tolerated. After 8 cycles of administration, a negative change in peritoneal cytology subsequently enabled a total gastrectomy, splenectomy, and cholecystectomy with a D3 lymph node dissection.