The data show that Capecitabine, added to another chemotherapy called crisplatin, is at least as effective as the current standard treatment (intravenous 5-flourouracil plus cisplatin) in terms of time to disease progression. Full results from the study have been submitted to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for presentation at their Annual Meeting taking place this month, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

"These new data are encouraging. For many patients, the prognosis has been poor despite recent advances in managing this common, yet often fatal, disease" said Ed Holdener, head of Global Development at Roche. "Compared to the current standard where patients spend five days every three weeks in hospital receiving treatment. Capecitabine has the additional benefit or reducing that amount of time to only one day, which helps patients to live as normal a life as possible."

Gastric cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In Europe alone, nearly 140,000 people die from gastric cancer each year. Gastric cancer affects twice as many men as women and occurs more frequently in people aged over 55 years.

Based on the results of this study, Roche plans to file for an indication in advanced gastric cancer with worldwide regulatory authorities.