evaluation of outcome and tolerability of combination chemotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin as first line therapy in advanced gastric cancer

background: combination chemotherapy is accepted as a high efficacy treatment for gastric cancer, whereas choice of standard treatment is unclear. multiple chemotherapeutic regimens have been used to achieve higher efficacy and lower toxicity. this study was designed to evaluate the treatment results of advanced gastric cancer with capecitabine and oxaliplatin regimen. subjects and methods : all cases with documented gastric adenocarcinoma and advanced disease were candidates for receiving xelox regimen (capecitabine – 750 mg/m 2 /twice daily/ 1-14 days and oxaliplatin 125 mg/m 2 in 1st day). results: twenty five cases with advanced gastric cancer entered in study while 24 cases continued treatment protocol and were evaluated. mean age was 59.5 ± 12.1 years (range: 20-75), male and female cases were 66.7% and 33.3%, respectively. all cases received at least four cycles of xelox regimen. overall response rate was 74.99% with 29.16% complete response. overall survival rate was 13 ± 0.53 months and dfs (disease-free survival) was 6 ± 1.09 months. extremities neuropathy (62.5%), headache (45.8%) and muscle cramps (29.2%) were the most common complains. haematological changes were rare and 16.7% of cases had mild cytopenia. treatment related death was not observed. conclusion: xelox regimen is a safe and highly effective first line treatment for gastric cancer; however, considering it as first line therapy needs larger studies.