Paclitaxel for the Treatment of Gastric or Gastroesophageal Cancer

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To assess the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel via intraperitoneal route in subjects with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer and positive cytology or carcinomatosis. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. Safety and tolerability of escalating doses of intraperitoneal paclitaxel in subjects with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer and positive cytology or carcinomatosis. II. To make a preliminary assessment of the anti-tumor activity of paclitaxel in subjects with stage IV gastric or gastroesophageal cancer and positive cytology or carcinomatosis. OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study. Patients receive paclitaxel intraperitoneally (IP) over 1 hour once weekly during weeks 1-3 and 5-7 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 6 months for 5 years.