[Short-term effects of chemotherapy with combination of hydroxycamptothecine and oxaliplatin in the treatment of advanced digestive tract cancers].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the short-term therapeutic effects and side effects of combined hydroxycamptothecine and oxaliplatin in the treatment of advanced digestive tract cancers.

METHODS

Thirty patients suffering from advanced digestive tract tumors including gastric cancer 8, colorectal cancer 20, cholecystic cancer 1 and malignant fibroadenoma 1 were studied. They were treated with hydroxycamptothecine plus oxaliplatin for 2 cycles with interval of 21 days.

RESULTS

The complete response, partial response, stable disease and progressive disease rates were 3.3% (1/30), 36.7% (11/30), 53.3% (15/30) and 6.7% (3/30) respectively with an overall response rate (CR + PR) of 40.0% (12/30). In the whole 77 cycles, leukocytopenia was observed in 34 cycles (44.2%) and 19 cycles (55.9%) at grades III and IV. Diarrhea developed in 42 cycles (54.5%) and 20 cycles (47.6%) grades III and IV. The other side effects were fever, alopecia, nausea and vomiting, constipation, hepatic and renal function abnormity and neuritis.

CONCLUSION

Satisfactory response rate is obtainable in advanced colorectal cancer as treated by hydroxycamptothecine plus oxaliplatin. The toxicity consists of severe leukocytopenia and diarrhea.