MetronomIc CApecitabine and DOcetaxel as Second-line Chemotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

Second-line chemotherapy represents an option in gastric cancer, especially for patients with adequate performance status. Two randomized phase III trials comparing 2nd-line docetaxel with best-supportive care have reported a benefit in favor of chemotherapy. Capecitabine is a fluoropyrimidine carbamate, which has a broader spectrum of antitumor activity than other fluoropyrimidines. In gastric cancer xenografts. metronomic capecitabine inhibited angiogenesis, growth of gastric cancer and improved survival with less toxicity. Given its potential low toxicity, the combination of docetaxel and metronomic capecitabine needs to be evaluated to assess efficacy and tolerability in patients with advanced gastric cancer previously treated with a fluoropyrimidine-based and platinum-based chemotherapy.