Promising Approach for Gastric Cancer Treatment Developed

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has identified a promising approach for treating gastric cancer with bulky lymph nodes. The study, which involved 32 patients, evaluated the efficacy of a modified regimen of preoperative chemotherapy using docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 (DCS). The results showed that the DCS regimen demonstrated high tolerance, a clinical response rate, and satisfactory three-year survival outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The modified DCS regimen achieved a 90.6% completion rate of preoperative chemotherapy, with 50.0% of patients receiving four cycles and 40.6% receiving three cycles.
  • The disease control rate (DCR) and clinical response rate (RR) were 87.5% and 81.3%, respectively, indicating a high level of efficacy in controlling the disease.
  • Grade-3/4 neutropenia and anemia developed in 6.2% and 9.4%, respectively, showing manageable toxicity.
  • Twenty-two patients with partial response (PR) underwent gastrectomy and lymph node dissection, with pathologic complete response (CR) achieved in 15.6%.
  • After surgery, there were no grade 3 postoperative complications, and the R0-resection rate was 65.6%.
  • The three-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 43.0% and 37%, respectively, for all eligible patients.
  • Patients with negative para-aortic lymph nodes demonstrated improved OS and PFS rates, at 58% and 47.0%, respectively.

Statistics:

  • 90.6% completion rate of preoperative chemotherapy
  • 50.0% of patients received four cycles of preoperative chemotherapy
  • 40.6% of patients received three cycles of preoperative chemotherapy
  • 87.5% disease control rate (DCR)
  • 81.3% clinical response rate (RR)
  • 6.2% grade-3/4 neutropenia
  • 9.4% grade-3/4 anemia
  • 15.6% pathologic complete response (CR) rate
  • 65.6% R0-resection rate
  • 43.0% three-year overall survival (OS) rate
  • 37% three-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate
  • 58% three-year OS rate for patients with negative para-aortic lymph nodes
  • 47.0% three-year PFS rate for patients with negative para-aortic lymph nodes

Sources:

  • "Preoperative chemotherapy with a modified docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 regimen, followed by gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer with bulky lymph nodes." Surgery Today, 2025.
  • University Medical Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Springer, One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY, United States (Publisher of Surgery Today)
  • Vo Duy Long, Dept. of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, University Medical Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Corresponding author)
  • Dang Quang Thong, Tran Quang Dat, Doan Thuy Nguyen, Tran Vinh Tho, Tran Duy Phuoc, Nguyen Viet Hai, Nguyen Lam Vuong, Lam Quoc Trung, and Nguyen Hoang Bac (Additional authors)
  • NewsRx LLC, 2025 (Publisher of Cancer Weekly)