[Prognostic and predictive factors of patients with cancer of unknown origin treated with a paclitaxel-based chemotherapy].
OBJECTIVE
Taxane-based combinations appear to be promising for the treatment of carcinoma of unknown primary site (CUPS).


METHODS
Patients with CUPS not corresponding to any favourable subset were treated with paclitaxel, carboplatin and etoposide. Interaction between various factors with survival was analyzed. A regression model was applied to identify factors with independent prognostic significance.


RESULTS
48 patients were included and 15 responses were observed with a median overall survival of 7.4 months. In the multivariate analysis, performance status and hypoalbuminemia were negatively associated with overall survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Some patients can achieve complete response and prolonged survival. This treatment cannot be recommended for patients with a regular performance status. A better knowledge of prognostic factors and a definition of more subgroups with favourable outcome are needed.
Muñoz
Alberto
A
Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital de Cruces, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, España.
Fuente
Natalia
N
Barceló
Ramón
R
Rubio
Itziar
I
Ferreiro
Josefa
J
López Vivanco
Guillermo
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel