Description
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
I. To assess the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel via intraperitoneal route in subjects with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer and positive cytology or carcinomatosis.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. Safety and tolerability of escalating doses of intraperitoneal paclitaxel in subjects with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer and positive cytology or carcinomatosis.
II. To make a preliminary assessment of the anti-tumor activity of paclitaxel in subjects with stage IV gastric or gastroesophageal cancer and positive cytology or carcinomatosis.
OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study.
Patients receive paclitaxel intraperitoneally (IP) over 1 hour once weekly during weeks 1-3 and 5-7 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 6 months for 5 years.