Open AccessS-1 plus apatinib as first-line palliative treatment for stage IVB gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma
Author(s) -
Zun-hua Chu,
Guanzhen Yu,
Miao Zhang,
Dong Liu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1536-5964
pISSN - 0025-7974
DOI - 10.1097/md.0000000000018691
Subject(s) - apatinib , medicine , regimen , cancer , gastroenterology , adenocarcinoma , adverse effect , oncology , chemotherapy , surgery
Rationale: Apatinib has been proven to significantly prolong the survival of the patients with advanced chemotherapy-refractory gastric cancer. To date, studies on apatinib plus S-1 as first-line palliative therapy for metastatic gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer are rare. Patient concerns: A 61-year-old female patient was admitted with dysphagia, significant loss of body weight, and poor performance status. Diagnoses: Endoscopic biopsy revealed the diagnosis of poorly-differentiated GEJ adenocarcinoma, and the patient was clinically staged as T3NxM1G3 (IVB). Interventions: She had received 4 cycles of palliative therapy using oral apatinib (425 mg daily) plus S-1 (40 mg twice daily for 4 weeks, with a 2-week drug-free interval), followed by maintenance low-dose apatinib (250 mg daily) plus S-1 at the same dosage thereafter. Outcomes: Her progression-free survival was nearly 5 months, and the overall survival was >11 months up to now. The adverse events were tolerable. Lessons: Apatinib plus S-1 might be an alternative option for late-stage GEJ cancer. However, high-quality trials are warranted before the recommendation of this therapeutic regimen.