title: Retrospective analysis of 27 consecutive patients treated with docetaxel/nedaplatin combination therapy as a second-line regimen for advanced esophageal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin in advanced esophageal cancer as a second-line regimen in an outpatient setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven consecutive patients with advanced esophageal cancer who received docetaxel/nedaplatin combination therapy as a second-line regimen were retrospectively evaluated. The combination therapy consisted of intravenous administration of docetaxel 30 mg/m(2) and nedaplatin 40 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients received a median of 7.4 cycles of treatment (range, 2-25 cycles ). No complete response was observed, and 3 of the 27 patients (11%) achieved partial responses. The disease control rate (partial response + stable disease) was 52%. The median survival time (MST) was 11.4 months. Severe hematological adverse events (grade 3-4) were: neutropenia (n = 10; 37%) and anemia (n = 5; 19%); there was neither febrile neutropenia nor grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia. Furthermore, no severe nonhematological adverse events or treatment-related deaths were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination therapy of docetaxel with nedaplatin was safe and well tolerated; however, the development of more effective therapy is warranted to improve the prognosis of esophageal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Outpatient Oncology Unit, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanai
authors.forename: Shigemi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Takahumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Go
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitano
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Misawa
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishiguro
authors.forename: Kiyotsugu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yanagihara
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teramukai
authors.forename: Michihide
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitsumori
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: Yoshiharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukushima
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; C053989:nedaplatin