Docetaxel and cisplatin as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic esophageal cancer: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the combination of docetaxel and cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer.


METHODS
16 chemotherapy-naïve patients with distant metastases were included in the study (15 male, 1 female; median age: 58.5 years (range 37-69); median ECOG performance status: 1). 11 patients (69%) had esophageal cancer, and 5 patients (31%) had cancer of the gastroesophageal junction. Patients received docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks. A total of 55 chemotherapy cycles was administered. The median number of cycles was 3 (range 1-6).


RESULTS
The overall response rate was 31.3%. 4 out of 10 patients (40%) with squamous cell carcinoma and 1 out of 5 patients (20%) with adenocarcinoma responded to chemotherapy. The median overall survival was 29.6 weeks, and the median progression-free survival was 18.6 weeks. Hematological and non-hematological toxicities were moderate (neutropenia WHO grade III/IV: 42.9%, alopecia grade II/III: 64.3%, nausea/vomiting grade II/III: 57.2%, neurotoxicity grade II: 14.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of docetaxel and cisplatin is an active regimen with moderate toxicity in the treatment of patients with metastatic esophageal cancer. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of a combination treatment containing a taxane and cisplatin in metastatic esophageal cancer.
Laack
Eckart
E
Medizinische Klinik II (Onkologie und Hämatologie), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany. laack@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Andritzky
Birte
B
Dürk
Heinz
H
Burkholder
Iris
I
Edler
Lutz
L
Schuch
Gunter
G
Boeters
Ina
I
Görn
Michael
M
Lipp
Rainer
R
Horst
Hartmut
H
Popp
Johann
J
Hossfeld
Dieter K
DK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D002945:Cisplatin