Preoperative Conformal Radiotherapy Concurrently with Paclitaxel/Carboplatin in Gastric Cancer

Abstract

Background and objectives : Surgery is the primary therapy for localized gastric cancer, but even with the best results only 40% 5-year survival can be achieved with the use of postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Preoperative therapy might help increase the R0 resection rate, which is an independent predictor of 5-year OS. Our study hypothesized that the concurrent combination of carboplatin-paclitaxel with radiation therapy would result in a pathological CR rate, which will be in turn associated with OAS and DFS benefits. Patients and methods : prospective phase II study included 32 patients with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma including gastroesophageal junction who received a combination of neoadjuvant conformal radiotherapy concurrently with carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by surgery. Results : Pathological CR and R0 resection rates were 18.8% and 75% respectively. With a median follow up of 24 months, 2 years disease-free survival was 28.1% and overall survival was 51.3%. The regimen was tolerated with neither grade 4 toxicities nor deaths. Conclusion : Neoadjuvant radiotherapy concomitant with carboplatin-paclitaxel chemotherapy is a well-tolerated approach for patients with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma resulting in significant pathological CR and R0 resection margins as reflected by the good DFS and OS.