FOLFOX Equals or Betters Epirubicin, Cisplatin, and Fluorouracil in Esophagogastric Cancer

Adding epirubicin to fluorouracil/platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in greater toxicity and no clear improvement in response.

The optimal chemotherapy for metastatic esophagogastric cancer remains controversial. Adding a third agent to fluorinated pyrimidine and platinum-based chemotherapy leads to small increases in response rate and survival but with higher rates of treatment-related toxicity.

Investigators now report the results of a National Cancer Institute–sponsored, randomized, phase II trial involving 213 patients with metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, who received the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted agent cetuximab plus one of three chemotherapy regimens: mFOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil), ECF (epirubicin, cisplatin, and fluorouracil), or IC (irinotecan and cisplatin).

At median follow-up …

Reviewing Author

David H. Ilson, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAstraZeneca; Merck; Taiho; Astellas; Bristol Myers Squibb; Regeneron; Oncolys; Amgen; Daiichi Sankyo

David H. Ilson, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAstraZeneca; Merck; Taiho; Astellas; Bristol Myers Squibb; Regeneron; Oncolys; Amgen; Daiichi Sankyo

FOLFOX Equals or Betters Epirubicin, Cisplatin, and Fluorouracil in Esophagogastric Cancer

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Reviewing Author