Efficacy and safety of XELOX regimen combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of gastric cancer with liver metastasis

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of XELOX regimen combined with hepatic artery chemoembolization in the treatment of gastric cancer with liver metastasis. Methods 50 cases of gastric cancer with liver metastasis were randomly divided into two groups, the experimental group (25 cases) received chemotherapy regimen of XELOX first: Xeloda tablets 1 000 mg/m2, orally, twice a day, days1-14; Oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2, intravenous drip, day 1. Hepatic artery chemoembolization was performed one a week later, and a cycle consists of 4 weeks. The control group (25 cases) received chemotherapy regimen of XELOX, 3 weeks as a cycle. All patients were evaluated for efficacy and toxicity every 2 cycles. Results In the experimental group, the overall response rate was 56%, the tumor control rate was 80%, the increase rate of Karnofsky was 60%, and 10 patients got chance of tumor resection. In the control group, the overall response rate was 32%, the tumor control rate was 52%, the increase rate of Karnofsky was 48%, and 6 patients got chance of operation. The overall response rate, tumor control rate, surgical treatment rate and the increase rate of Karnofsky in the experimental group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05). The median total survival time was 12.5 months in the experimental group and 10.5 months in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in toxicity and side effects between the two groups. Conclusion XELOX regimen combined with hepatic artery chemoembolization is effective and safe in the treatment of gastric cancer with liver metastasis. Key words: Stomach neoplasms; Embolization, therapeutic; Neoplasm metastasis; Combined chemotherapy regimen