title: Cisplatin and etoposide in oesophageal cancer: a phase II study. Rotterdam Oesophageal Tumour Study Group.
abstract: In the search for effective chemotherapy regimens which can be used in multimodality treatment programmes for patients with cancer of the oesophagus, we conducted a phase II trial to determine the activity and toxicity of the combination of cisplatin and etoposide in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. Seventy-three consecutive patients with unresectable or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic oesophagus were treated with cisplatin 80 mg m-2 by 4 h infusion on day 1, etoposide 100 mg (fixed dose) by 2 h infusion on day 1 and 2, and etoposide 200 mg m-2 orally on day 3 and 5. Courses were repeated every 4 weeks, for a maximum of six courses. The oral dosages of etoposide were modified individually until a significant degree of myelosuppression was reached. Of 65 evaluable patients, five complete responses (CRs) and 26 partial responses (PRs) were seen, for an overall response rate of 48% (95% confidence interval 35-60%). Median time to progression was 7 months (range 3-72 + months). There were two toxic deaths (neutropenic sepsis). The response rate equals that of other cisplatin-based regimens. Its toxicity profile allows addition of a third active drug such as 5-fluorouracil.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Kok
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van der Gaast
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dees
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Eykenboom
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Overhagen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stoter
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tilanus
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Splinter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin