title: Paclitaxel poliglumex (PPX-Xyotax) and concurrent radiation for esophageal and gastric cancer: a phase I study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) and dose limiting toxicities of poly(l-glutamic acid)-paclitaxel (PPX) and concurrent radiation (PPX/RT) for patients with esophageal and gastric cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with esophageal or gastric cancer receiving chemoradiation for loco-regional, adjuvant, or palliative intent were eligible. The initial dose of PPX was 40 mg/m2/wk, for 6 weeks with 50.4 Gy radiation. Dose levels were increased in increments of 10 mg/m2/wk of PPX.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one patients were enrolled over 5 dose levels. Sixteen patients had esophageal cancer and 5 had gastric cancer. Twelve patients received PPX/RT as definitive loco-regional therapy, 4 patients had undergone resection and received adjuvant PPX/RT, and 5 patients had metastatic disease and received PPX/RT for palliation of dysphagia. Dose limiting toxicities of gastritis, esophagitis, neutropenia, and dehydration developed in 3 of 4 patients treated at the 80 mg/m2 dose level. Four of 12 patients (33%) with loco-regional disease had a complete clinical response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The maximally tolerated dose of PPX with concurrent radiotherapy is 70 mg/m2/wk for patients with esophageal and gastric cancer.
authors.affiliation: Brown University Oncology Group, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dipetrillo
authors.forename: Luka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Milas
authors.forename: Devon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Akerman
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miner
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cruff
authors.forename: Bharti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iannitti
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Safran
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; D017239:Paclitaxel; C509139:paclitaxel poliglumex