High-dose folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil bolus and continuous infusion in poor-prognosis patients with advanced measurable gastric cancer.

Twenty-five patients with advanced measurable gastric cancer were treated with high-dose folinic acid (200 mg/m2), 5-fluorouracil bolus (400 mg/m2) and continuous infusion (600 mg/m2) for two consecutive days every two weeks. Fourteen patients over 65 yr old and/or with a poor general status received first-line treatment, and eleven younger patients second-line. The response rate was 43.5% in 23 evaluable patients. There were 2 complete responses (8.7%) and 8 partial responses (34.8%). Median survival was 6 months in first-line and 8 months, calculated from start of folinic acid-5FU, in second-line. Toxicity was mild without WHO Grade greater than 2 events. This combination is effective for advanced gastric cancer in poor-prognosis patients and requires further studies.