title: A phase II trial of preoperative mitomycin, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.
abstract: The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with apparently operable adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus has been investigated. Two courses of mitomycin, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (MCF) were given, followed by a radiological evaluation of response. Twenty-two of 25 patients completed both courses. Two showed a complete response and 12 a partial response. There was a pathological complete response of the primary tumour in only one patient (although there was residual secondary tumour in a local lymph node). The main toxicity was myelosuppression, with 9/22 patients having the second chemotherapy course delayed. There were three sudden deaths, one due to a pulmonary embolus and two due to complications of infections. Twenty-one patients underwent surgical exploration; there were 18 resections. Although the radiological response rate of MCF (14/25; 56%; 95% CI 37-75) appeared promising, there were no pathological complete responders. Further Phase II trials are needed to identify more efficacious agents and regimens that will yield a pathological response rate of at least 10%, before proceeding to randomized trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.
authors.affiliation: Regional Department of Thoracic Surgery, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Darnton
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Ferry
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Casson
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002423:Cause of Death; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012074:Remission Induction; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008937:Mitomycins; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil