Two chemotherapy approaches for advanced stomach cancer before and after surgery

Plain-English translation of NCT05264896 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated September 2023 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 3 — Testing in thousands of people, comparing the treatment against what doctors currently use. This is the last big step before approval.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether giving chemotherapy before and after surgery (using a four-drug combination called FLOT) works better than giving chemotherapy only after surgery (using a two-drug combination called ) for people with advanced stomach cancer. Researchers want to know which approach helps patients survive longer and have better outcomes after their surgery to remove the cancer.

Doctors know that chemotherapy helps people with advanced stomach cancer, but they don't yet know the best way to give it—before surgery, after surgery, or both. This medication is showing promising results in Europe, and this trial will help determine if it's better than the current standard treatment used in Asia.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with locally advanced adenocarcinoma (a type of stomach cancer) at the junction where the esophagus meets the stomach
your cancer has not spread to distant parts of your body, but imaging shows it is large or has involved lymph nodes
your cancer can be surgically removed based on imaging tests
you are between 18 and 80 years old
you have not had previous chemotherapy or stomach surgery
your blood counts and organ function (liver, kidney) are adequate enough to safely receive chemotherapy

You likely don't qualify if…

you have cancer that has spread to distant organs or other parts of your body
you have serious heart disease or heart failure
you have nerve damage from previous treatments or conditions
you have significant liver disease or problems with liver function
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have had another cancer in the past 5 years (except skin cancer or cervical cancer if adequately treated)

What participation looks like

If you enroll, you will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Both groups will have surgery to remove the stomach cancer. One group receives four rounds of chemotherapy medication before surgery, then four more rounds after surgery. The other group receives chemotherapy only after surgery. Each round of chemotherapy is given intravenously every two weeks. Before surgery, you will have scans and an endoscopy to check if the medication is working. The entire treatment takes several months, and you will have regular clinic visits for blood tests and check-ups throughout.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 18, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

Hong Kong

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong