Intraperitoneal paclitaxel with systemic S-1 plus oxaliplatin for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis: A single-arm, multicenter phase II clinical trial.

Summary: Stomach cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal metastasis) is notoriously difficult to treat, often resulting in a poor outlook for patients. Standard chemotherapy given through a vein often struggles to reach these specific tumors effectively. In this study, doctors tested a "two-pronged" attack on 24 patients: they delivered the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel directly into the abdominal cavity (intraperitoneal) while simultaneously administering standard drugs (S-1 and oxaliplatin) through the bloodstream.

The results were encouraging. Nearly 77% of patients were still alive after one year, and the tumors shrank in over 41% of participants. While there were side effects—primarily low white blood cell counts and some issues with the abdominal catheter—the study suggests this combination therapy offers promising efficacy and manageable safety for this difficult-to-treat condition.