Clinical case of pathological complete response of gastric cancer after one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with fot regimen

Background. Gastric cancer is the 5th most common cancer and the 3rd leading cause of cancer death globally. In Russia, gastric cancer is the 2-nd leading cause of death (10.7 %). Surgery in combination with perioperative/adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced gastric cancer. Four cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with the FLOT regimen is the most widely used treatment modality. The basis for the widespread use of this chemotherapy regimen was the results of a large randomized FLOT4 trial, according to which the perioperative FLOT regimen showed greater efficacy compared to the ECF regimen.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the feasibility of achieving patholopgical complete response and long-term remission after one course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with FLOT regimen in a patient with locally advanced gastric cancer.

Case description. A 69-year-old patient presented to A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre with complaints of general weakness, moderate epigastric pain for 2 months. The examination revealed stage T3N0M0 IIA gastric cancer. The patient received one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the FLOT regimen. Given the fact, that the patient developed massive bleeding from the tumor, it was decided to stop neoadjuvant treatment. Subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was performed. Histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed pathological complete response (grade 1a according to the classification of K.Becker et al., 2003). The patient is alive with no signs of disease progression for more than 36 months after starting the treatment.

Conclusion. This clinical case demonstrated personalized approach to the treatment of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Pathological complete response was achieved after one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. 

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