Fanotto V et al. -There is limited evidence supporting further lines of treatment to improve the prognosis of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients. In the current study it was shown that select AGC patients may benefit from third line treatment.

Methods

• 868 AGC patients who were treated with at least three lines were retrospectively analyzed with respect to baseline parameters, tumor characteristics, and treatment data.

Results

• 300 patients were included in the analysis.
• The most common site of primary tumor was the gastric body.
• 45.3% of cancers had an intestinal histotype.
• 14% were human epidermal growth receptor 2 positive.
• In third line treatment, 45.7% of patients received a single agent chemotherapy and 49.7% received a combination regimen.
• Patients who had experienced a first?line PFS greater than or equal to 6.9 months had a better prognosis compared with those who had achieved a shorter PFS.
• A second line PFS greater than or equal to 3.5 months positively influenced the prognosis.
• Patients receiving a third line combination regimen had better outcomes compared with those treated with a single agent chemotherapy.