title: Docetaxel and vinorelbine: an effective regimen in recurrent squamous cell esophageal carcinoma.
abstract: Vinorelbine and docetaxel are two effective drugs in esophageal cancer; our purpose was to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of a combination of these drugs in recurrent squamous cell esophageal cancer. Twenty patients previously treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy (n = 14), surgery alone (n = 2), surgery plus radiotherapy (n = 2), or concomitant chemoradiotherapy + surgey (n = 2) were enrolled. Thirteen patients had a local-regional recurrence, two patients had metastases, and five patients had both. The doses were 80 mg/m(2) for docetaxel and 20 mg/m(2) for vinorelbine on d 1 every 21 d for a maximum of six cycles. Twenty patients received a total of 106 cycles (median per patient, 5). Neutropenia was the most frequent and severe side effect (grade 4 in 80%; grade 3 in 20%). The overall response rate was 60%, which included 3 of 20 complete responses (15%) and 9 of 20 partial responses (45%). Median response duration was 7 mo (2-50+). Overall median survival was 10.5 mo (range, 2-55+). A dysphagia improvement was observed in 81% of patients. In conclusion, the data from this phase II study indicate that this combination is effective in recurrent heavily pretreated patients with a short-lasting manageable toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, San Giovanni Antica Sede Hospital, Torino, Italy. mario.airoldi@jumpy.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Airoldi
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cortesina
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Fulvia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pedani
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bumma
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gabriele
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D043823:Taxoids; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077235:Vinorelbine
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D014747:Vinblastine; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000077235:Vinorelbine