Safety and Efficacy of Neoadjuvant DOF [Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin, 5-Fluorouracil] Chemotherapy Regimen in Patients with Locally Advanced Gastric and Gastro-Esophageal Junction Cancers: A Single Center Experience from India

Background: The role of chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer is constantly evolving with various neoadjuvant and adjuvant strategies. Several chemotherapeutic agents are used in the treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) namely Platinum based compounds (Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin), Fluoropyrimidines like 5-Flurouracil [(5-FU), Capecitabine)], Taxanes (Docetaxel) and Anthracyclines (Epirubicin). Various doublet and triplet combination chemotherapy regimens have been used for neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in LAGCs. In this study we evaluated the safety and efficacy of docetaxel based triplet regimen DOF [Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin, 5-Fluorouracil] in LAGC. Material and methods: 50 Newly diagnosed patients of Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer (stage II or III) deemed fit to receive chemotherapy were included in our study. After 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, patients were assessed based on radiological and pathological response. Results: 50 Patients were included in our study of which majority were male (32), median age at presentation was 55 years and 24 patients presented with a history of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). The most common hematological toxicities observed in our study were anemia (61.2%), neutropenia (42.6%, febrile neutropenia constituted 6%) and thrombocytopenia (13.2%). The most common gastro-intestinal [GI] toxicities observed in our study included nausea (69.2%), vomiting (31.2%), diarrhea (34%), oral mucositis (14%) and constipation (6.6%). We found that safety profile of DOF regimen was favorable with majority of patients tolerating the regimen well. The Overall Response Rate (68%), Disease Control Rate (96%) and Resectability Rate (80%) were higher compared to western studies. Pathological CR (17.5%), ypN0 disease status (42.5%) and nodal down staging (52%), all showed positive correlations with survival outcomes. Conclusion: DOF regimen is an effective and feasible option for neoadjuvant treatment of LAGC in an Indian population.