RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Molecular-targeted Therapy for Chemotherapy-refractory Gastric Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 3695
OP 3699
VO 34
IS 7
A1 HUNG-YANG KUO
A1 KUN-HUEI YEH
YR 2014
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/34/7/3695.abstract
AB The prognosis of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) remains poor despite therapeutic advances in recent decades. Several recent positive phase III trials established the efficacy of second-line chemotherapy for metastatic gastric cancer in prolonging overall survival. However, malnutrition and poor performance of AGC in late stages usually preclude such patients from intensive treatment. Many targeted-therapies failed to show a significant survival benefit in AGC, but have regained attention after the positive result of ramucirumab was announced last year. Among all targeted agents, only trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) protein, has been proven as having survival benefit by addition to first-line chemotherapy. Herein we reported a patient who benefited from adding trastuzumab to the same second-line combination chemotherapy (paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin) upon progression of bulky liver metastases. At least five months of progression-free survival were achieved without any additional toxicity. We also reviewed literature of molecularly-targeted therapy for chemotherapy-refractory gastric cancer, including several large phase III trials (REGARD, GRANITE-1, EXPAND, and REAL-3) published in 2013-2014.