[Phase II study of (2" R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP) in patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. Clinical study group of THP for gastric cancer in Japan].

A multi-institutional collaborative phase II study of (2"R)-4-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP) was performed by intravenous administration to patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. The administration schedules were (1) 40-60 mg/body every 3 or 4 weeks and (2) 20-40 mg/body once a week. Of 58 registered patients, 49 cases were eligible and 37 cases were evaluable for response. The therapeutic results were 1 CR, 4 PR, 14 NC and 18 PD. The response rate of the evaluable cases was 13.5%. The side effects were mainly bone marrow suppression and digestive symptoms. In particular, the frequency of leukopenia was a high 75.5%, while there was a decrease in hemoglobin in 38.8% and anorexia in 30.6%. The frequency and severity of alopecia, which is a known problem with anthracyclines, were slight, and no abnormal electrocardiograms were observed.