Heated Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer

This trial explores a new method to treat stomach cancer by applying heated chemotherapy directly to the abdominal area during surgery. The researchers aim to determine if this approach can prevent cancer from returning in the abdomen post-surgery. Participants will receive a combination of two chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and paclitaxel, which are heated and circulated in the abdomen. This trial may suit individuals with stomach or gastroesophageal junction cancer at high risk of recurrence in the abdominal area. As a Phase 2 trial, it measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, providing an opportunity to contribute to important research.

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial team or your doctor to understand how your medications might interact with the trial treatment.

Research has shown that using heated chemotherapy directly in the abdomen is generally safe for patients with stomach cancer. This method, called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), involves using heated drugs, cisplatin and paclitaxel, during surgery. Studies have found that HIPEC is safe and well-tolerated, especially for patients with advanced stomach cancer. One study showed that patients treated with HIPEC had better survival rates compared to those who received traditional treatments.

Cisplatin and paclitaxel are drugs known to work well against stomach tumors. While administering these drugs to the whole body hasn't been effective for cancer that has spread in the abdomen, HIPEC targets the treatment directly where it's needed.

Researchers are excited about the heated chemotherapy treatment for gastric cancer because it combines standard chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and paclitaxel, with a unique delivery method known as p-HIPEC (pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy). Unlike traditional treatments that administer chemotherapy systemically, this method delivers heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity. This approach allows for higher concentrations of the drugs to target cancer cells more effectively while potentially reducing systemic side effects. Additionally, the heat enhances the drugs' ability to penetrate and destroy cancer cells, making this treatment a promising alternative for patients with gastric cancer.

In this trial, participants will receive heated chemotherapy in the belly area during surgery, a method known as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Studies have shown that using HIPEC with surgery can extend the time people with certain types of stomach cancer live without the cancer returning. One study improved survival rates to as long as 27.7 months. In this trial, HIPEC will be combined with the drugs cisplatin and paclitaxel, which research suggests can reduce the chances of cancer returning in the abdomen. Overall, HIPEC shows promise in treating stomach cancer, especially for those at high risk of recurrence.²⁶⁷⁸⁹