Randomized phase III study of S-1 alone versus S-1 + cisplatin in the treatment for advanced gastric cancer (The SPIRITS trial) SPIRITS: S-1 plus cisplatin vs S-1 in RCT in the treatment for stomach cancer

4514 Background: S-1 has been widely used against advanced gastric cancer (AGC) not only as monotherapy but also in combination with other cytotoxic compounds. Results of a phase I/II study combining S-1 + cisplatin (CDDP) were very encouraging with a high response rate (RR) of 76%, and the MST (Median Survival Time) of 383 days (Koizumi W et al, Br J Cancer, 2003). Based on these results, a phase III study comparing S-1 alone with S-1 + CDDP has been conducted to further evaluate the efficacy and safety for S-1 + CDDP as a standard treatment for AGC. Methods: This is a randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel, multicenter study. Patients (pts) are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm A: Pts receive oral S-1 (40 mg/m2) twice daily 28 days followed by 14 days rest. Arm B: Pts receive oral S-1 (40 mg/m2) twice daily 21 days followed by 14 days rest plus CDDP (60 mg/m2) iv on day 8. Eligibility criteria included unresectable/recurrent AGC, age 20–74, no prior chemotherapy for AGC. Primary endpoin...