TAIC FOLFOX for Locally Advanced G/GEJA

Summary

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide in terms of both incidence and mortality. The majority of cases are diagnosed at advanced stage-often presenting with severe complications such as malignant stricture, obstruction, bleeding, and cancer-related malnutrition-which impinge on quality of life and survival outcomes. For patients with unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEJA), first-line systemic therapy remains predominantly platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based combination chemotherapy, and targeted agents or immunotherapy can be added based on the expression of biomarkers. Under this standard approach, the median overall survival (mOS) for localized unresectable G/GEJA is approximately 14-20 months. For metastatic G/GEJA, the prognosis remains poor with an mOS of less than 1 year, despite the proven efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, up to 25% of cancer survivors report a significant decline in quality of life due to gastrointestinal symptoms during, soon after, or many years after treatment.

Interventional oncology approaches-including trans-arterial infusion chemotherapy (TAIC), embolization (TAE), and chemoembolization (TACE)-represent promising locoregional therapeutic strategies. TAIC allows for the direct delivery of cytotoxic agents into the tumor-feeding arteries, thereby maximizing intra-tumoral drug concentration. As one of the most well-recognized applications, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has been demonstrated in liver cancer by elevating local drug exposure, markedly enhancing antitumor efficacy while minimizing systemic adverse effects. Moreover, chemotherapeutic agents may exert secondary systemic activity against clinically or subclinically disseminated metastases upon systemic circulation, contributing to a sustained "secondary chemotherapy" effect. Owing to its favorable safety profile and preserved antitumor activity, TAIC is particularly suited for frail or elderly patients who are ineligible for surgery or conventional systemic chemotherapy.

Given the persistent limitations of current therapeutic paradigms, the feasibility and safety of trans-arterial therapy in the treatment of anti-tumor, hemostasis and obstruction relief for locally advanced G/GEJC remains urgent. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of TAIC for locally advanced G/GEJA.

Conditions

• Gastric Cancer (Diagnosis)
• Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma

Interventions

PROCEDURE

TAIC

The Seldinger method was used to insert a vascular sheath through the unilateral femoral artery. A 5 F angiographic catheter (C2, RLG, or RH TYPE, Cook Corporation, Bloomington, IN, USA) was inserted into left gastric, short gastric, and esophageal proper arteries under fluoroscopy guidance, and the condition of each branch vessel was visualized by catheter angiography. Then a 2.7 F microcatheter was introduced into the artery that delivered blood supply to the tumor using the coaxial catheter technology. TAIC were performed based on the blood supply and staining degree of the tumor. For the target vessel, by selective catheterization and DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography), the vascular distribution and staining degree of the tumor can be directly observed.

DRUG

FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin)

Patients in the TAIC group will undergo FOLFOX-based TAIC at weeks 0 and 4 and receive FOLFOX-based IVC at weeks 2 and 6. The FOLFOX-based TAIC consists of oxaliplatin (85 mg/m²) administered as a 2-hour transarterial infusion, leucovorin (400 mg/m²) administered as a 2-hour transarterial infusion, and fluorouracil (2400 mg/m²) administered as a 44-hour transarterial infusion. According to the results of the genetic mutation status, HER2-positive patients are administered trastuzumab in combination every cycle.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Quanda Liu, PhD · Guanganmen Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-01

Primary Completion

2028-01-01

Completion

2028-12-01

Countries

• China

Study Locations