A phase II study of paclitaxel plus cisplatin chemotherapy in an unfavourable group of patients with cancer of unknown primary site.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of combined paclitaxel and cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with cancer of unknown primary site (CUP). Efficacy was evaluated in terms of response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival.


METHODS
Thirty-seven patients with CUP were enrolled between January 2001 and September 2003 at Korea Cancer Center Hospital. The patients received 21-day cycles of paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2) i.v.) with cisplatin (60 mg/m(2) i.v.) given on the first day.


RESULTS
Of the 37 patients, 31 had adenocarcinoma subtypes. The overall response rate of 26 patients with measurable lesions was 42% [95% confidence interval (CI) 23-61%]. Stable disease was seen in six patients and progressive disease in nine. Median time to progression was 4 months (95% CI 1.3-6.8). Median overall survival was 11 months (95% CI 8.3-13.5). The major toxicities were neuropathy and neutropenia. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 10 patients, but febrile neutropenia was seen in four.


CONCLUSIONS
This combined paclitaxel and cisplatin regimen was well tolerated with an encouraging level of effectiveness for patients with CUP.
Park
Yeon Hee
YH
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea. yhpark@kcch.re.kr
Ryoo
Baek-Yeol
BY
Choi
Seong-Jun
SJ
Yang
Sung Hyun
SH
Kim
Heung-Tae
HT
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin