Journal of Gastrointestinal & Digestive System
Open Access

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: Esophageal and gastric cancers continue to pose a significant burden of morbidity and mortality globally. Presently, gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, and the third leading cause of cancer death. Esophageal cancer, though less common, has a striking mortality rate, placing it as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Unfortunately, many patients with these cancers present at an advanced, incurable stage. Standard first-line regimens for patients with metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas have an approximate 40% objective response rate and only provide patients with a survival of less than 1 year. Methodology and Theoretical Orientation: FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy has been used in first-line therapy in other GI cancers (i.e pancreatic and CRC) with impressive efficacy signals. This is a Phase II study of first-line combination chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX (5-FU, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) in patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (NCT01928290). Findings: This study enrolled 58 patients. The response rate with FOLFIRINOX was 78% in all patients. Median progressionfree survival was 11.9 months, and median overall survival was 17.4 months. Conclusion and Significance: Metastatic gastroesophageal cancers are increasing in incidence and are incurable. The FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy regimen may provide patients benefits over standard approaches. The FOLFIRINOX study results, as well as the current state-of-the-art treatment for gastroesophageal cancers, will be discussed in detail.

Biography

A Craig Lockhart is the Division Chief for Medical Oncology at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (SCCC). He has over 15 years of early phase clinical trial experience where he has been the PI of over 100 Phase I, II and III trials. His own research focuses on Phase I/II clinical trials of novel therapeutics applied to gastrointestinal cancers.

E-mail: aclockhart@med.miami.edu