Experience with docetaxel in the treatment of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. In operable patients, standard care includes surgery with or without adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy; standard care for inoperable disease includes chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. Docetaxel has shown in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects on human gastric cell lines and gastric cancer xenografts. Phase I through III trials of docetaxel alone and in combination with other chemotherapy agents have subsequently been conducted. This review provides an overview of these studies and suggestions for future directions in the treatment of gastric cancer.