Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 14, 2010; 16(46): 5889-5894
Published online Dec 14, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i46.5889
Irinotecan-involved regimens for advanced gastric cancer: A pooled-analysis of clinical trials
Dan-Ling Wang, Dong-Ying Gu, Hua-Ying Huang, Zhi Xu, Jin-Fei Chen
Dan-Ling Wang, Dong-Ying Gu, Hua-Ying Huang, Zhi Xu, Jin-Fei Chen, Department of Oncology, Affiliated Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 68 Changle Road and Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing 210000, China
Author contributions: Wang DL collected, analyzed, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript; Gu DY was responsible the technology and materials; Huang HY contributed to the support; Xu Z supervised the study; Chen JF provided the conception and designed and supervised the study.
Supported by Affiliated Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University and Medical school of Southeast University
Correspondence to: Dr. Jin-Fei Chen, Department of Oncology, Affiliated Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 68 Changle Road, Nanjing 210006, China. jinfeichen@sohu.com
Telephone: +86-25-87726234 Fax: +86-25-87726234
Received: May 29, 2010
Revised: August 17, 2010
Accepted: August 24, 2010
Published online: December 14, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To assess the efficiency and toxicities of irinotecan (CPT-11)-involved regimens in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS: Randomized phases II and III clinical trials on chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer were searched from MEDLINE, EMbase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and EBSCO. Relevant abstracts were manually searched. A total of 657 patients were analyzed for their overall response rate (ORR), time to treatment failure (TTF), overall survival (OS) rate, and toxicities. Overall survival rate, reported as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI, was used as the primary outcome measure.

RESULTS: Four randomized controlled trials on chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer were detected. The CPT-11-containing combination chemotherapy was not significantly advantageous over the non CPT-11-containing combination chemotherapy for OS rate (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.92-1.36, P = 0.266) and ORR [risk ratio (RR) = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.71-2.14, P = 0.458]. However, the CPT-11-containing combination chemotherapy was significantly advantageous over the non CPT-11-containing combination chemotherapy for TTF (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.12-1.64, P = 0.002). Grade 3/4 haematological toxicity (thrombocytopenia: RR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.09-0.48; P < 0.001) and gastrointestinal toxicity (diarrhea: RR = 4.09, 95% CI: 2.42-6.93, P < 0.001) were lower in patients with advanced gastric cancer after CPT-11-containing combination chemotherapy than after non CPT-11 -containing combination chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION: CPT-11-containing combination chemotherapy is advantageous over non CPT-11 -containing combination chemotherapy for TTF with no significant toxicity. CPT-11-containing combination chemotherapy can be used in treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

Keywords: Meta-analysis, Advanced gastric cancer, Chemotherapy