The evolving role of paclitaxel for patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site.
Patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site represent a very heterogeneous clinicopathologic group. Progress has been made in defining important clinical subsets, and specialized pathologic analysis is essential for the poorly differentiated neoplasms. Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) is a broad-spectrum antineoplastic agent with demonstrated activity in a wide variety of carcinomas. We have combined paclitaxel with carboplatin and oral etoposide for the therapy of patients with unknown primary carcinoma. The overall response rate (47%, with 13% complete responders) compares favorably with any other chemotherapy. Furthermore, the median survival of 13.4 months was notable and encouraging. Toxicity was well-tolerated and no treatment-related deaths occurred. Additional data are needed to more firmly establish the role of paclitaxel for unknown primary cancer.
Greco
F A
FA
Sarah Cannon-Minnie Pearl Cancer Center, Centennial Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
Hainsworth
J D
JD
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel