Chonnam Med J.  2002 Mar;38(1):68-72.

Combination Chemotherapy with Paclitaxel and Cisplatin in Patients with Metastatic or Refractory Esophageal Carcinoma

• Lee JJ
• Lee IK
• Kim HJ

Abstract

Patients with metastatic or refractory carcinoma of the esophagus have an extremely poor survival. In this study, we assessed clinical activity and safety of a biweekly schedule of paclitaxel and cisplatin chemotherapy. Esophageal cancer patients with metastasis or refractory to previous chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were eligible. Patients received paclitaxel 90 mg/m2 in a 3-hour infusion followed by cisplatin 50 mg/m2 every 2 weeks. Patients were re-evaluated radiographically after 2-3 cycles of chemotherapy. Nineteen patients were enrolled, and 17 patients were evaluable for response. The median age was 62 years (range, 46-74 years), and all patients had squamous cell carcinoma. Sixteen patients had received prior chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for advanced diseases. There were 1 (5.9%) complete response, 8 (47.1%) partial responses (PR), 3 (17.6%) stable diseases (SD), and 5 (29.4%) progressive diseases (PD). Toxicity included grade 3/4 neutropenia in 4 (23.6%) of patients, grade 3 thrombocytopenia or infection in 1 (5.9%) of patients. Median survival of patients with responses or SD was 14.5+/-4.1 months compared with 4.9+/-2.9 months in patients with PD (P=0.0075). The combination of paclitaxel and cisplatin in esophageal patients with metastasis or refractory diseases is well tolerated and has significant activity, suggesting its feasibility as a salvage regimen.

Keyword

Esophageal carcinoma; Chemotherapy; Paclitaxel; Cisplatin

MeSH Terms

Appointments and Schedules
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Cisplatin*
Drug Therapy
Drug Therapy, Combination*
Esophageal Neoplasms
Esophagus
Humans
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neutropenia
Paclitaxel*
Radiotherapy
Thrombocytopenia
Cisplatin
Paclitaxel