Intraperitoneal docetaxel combined with S-1 for advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination

Background Our previous phase I study indicated that combination chemotherapy with intraperitoneal docetaxel and S-1 was well tolerated by gastric cancer patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). This study evaluated the benefits of this combination chemotherapy and subsequent surgery. Patients and Methods Neoadjuvant Intra-Peritoneal and Systemic chemotherapy (NIPS) was introduced to gastric cancer patients with positive cytology or with PC. Two cycles of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with docetaxel combined with S-1, were administrated and gastrectomy with lymph node dissection was performed in cases without macroscopic PC at post-NIPS staging laparoscopy. Results Eighteen patients were enrolled in this study. Eight patients had measurable lymph node metastases by the RECIST criteria and computed tomography (CT) showed that five (62.5%) displayed a major response to the treatment. Out of 18 patients, 14 (78%) showed negative results on peritoneal cytology and no macroscopic PC, while the remaining four were cancer cell positive on peritoneal cytology or showed macroscopic PC even after NIPS. The median survival time of the entire group was 24.6 months. No treatment-related mortality was observed during NIPS and surgery. Conclusion This study indicated that the NIPS combined with surgery was highly active and well tolerated by advanced gastric cancer patients with PC.