Selection of chemotherapy for hyperthermic intraperitoneal use in gastric cancer

• HIPEC has potential benefit in gastric cancer.
• A literature search is present to determine which drugs are most suitable.
• At present the optimal chemotherapeutic regime is unknown.
• The wide variety in parameters warrants studies to determine the optimal schedule.
• A combination of drugs probably results in a more effective treatment.

PurposeSeveral studies have shown the potential benefit of cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in gastric cancer patients. At present the most effective chemotherapeutic regime in HIPEC for gastric cancer is unknown. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of chemotherapeutic agents used for HIPEC in gastric cancer.MethodsA literature search was conducted using the PubMed database to identify studies on chemotherapy used for HIPEC in gastric cancer patients.Results and conclusionThe chemotherapeutic regime of choice in HIPEC for gastric cancer has yet to be determined. The wide variety in studies and study parameters, such as chemotherapeutic agents, dosage, patient characteristics, temperature of perfusate, duration of perfusion, carrier solutions, intraperitoneal pressure and open or closed perfusion techniques, warrant more experimental and clinical studies to determine the optimal treatment schedule. A combination of drugs probably results in a more effective treatment.