Yu Y, et al. - Among patients (aged 18–75 years) with localized resectable gastric cancer, researchers assessed oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX), plus D2 gastrectomy, as a treatment strategy, focusing on its efficacy and safety, in this multicenter, open-label study (NEO-CLASSIC). Eight cycles of XELOX (four preoperatively, four postoperatively) were received by the patients. Two-four weeks following the last preoperative cycle, curative D2 gastrectomy was scheduled. The objective response rate (ORR) of XELOX in the preoperative setting was the primary objective. Of 55 patients enrolled, one was excluded due to screening failure. The estimated ORR was 50.0%. Findings revealed the efficacy as well as the safety of capecitabine and oxaliplatin combination therapy as perioperative chemotherapy, followed by D2 gastrectomy, in late-stage, locally advanced gastric cancer. Although enrollment exceeded the 47 patients needed to detect an increase in the ORR by 15% (from 40% to 55%), the primary endpoint was not met by the findings.