A phase II trial of sequential MTx and 5-FU alternated with 4-epidoxorubicin and cisplatin in advanced gastric cancer.

Twenty-one patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were treated with a combination chemotherapy schedule of sequential methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil alternated with 4-epidoxorubicin and cisplatin. This scheme was active, with 7 partial responses leading to a response rate of 33% (+/- 20%). In two cases the tumor became operable. No severe toxicity developed and the treatment was usually well tolerated.