5-Fluorouracil, methyl-CCNU, adriamycin, and mitomycin C in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer

Eighteen previously untreated patients with advanced nonresectable adenocarcinoma of the stomach were treated with a four-drug regimen consisting of 5-fluorouracil, methyl-CCNU, adriamycin, and mitomycin C. Objective responses occurred in only two patients (11%); the majority of patients had stable disease for ≥8 weeks (61%). The median survival of 27 weeks was similar to that reported in other combination chemotherapy trials. Numerous staging and restaging procedures and strict response criteria were utilized and each was evaluated for its effectiveness in following responses. None of these parameters was useful for evaluating response of intra-abdominal tumor. We conclude that this four-drug combination is no better than previously described two-drug regimens.