title: A phase II trial of weekly irinotecan in cisplatin-refractory esophageal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study investigated the efficacy and toxicity of weekly single-agent irinotecan in patients with metastatic disease relapsing after cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients were enrolled. A total number of 29 cycles (one cycle consisted of CPT-11 100 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15, qd 28) were applied. Irinotecan was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. Where toxicity was less than WHO grade 3, the dose of irinotecan was escalated in 20 mg steps in subsequent cycles up to a maximum dose of 140 mg/m2. Patients were assessed for response according to WHO criteria every second cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 13 evaluable patients, 2 achieved a partial response (PR) and 3 disease stabilisation (NC); progressive disease (PD) was noted in 8 patients. Median time to progression was 2 months (range: 1-8 months) and median survival from start of study treatment was 5 months (range: 2-16 months). Grade 3 toxicity consisted of diarrhea (n=3), fever (n=1) and pain (n=1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single-agent irinotecan has moderate activity in cisplatin-refractory esophageal cancer.
authors: Departments of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology, Pulmology, Medical Center II, Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Christof
authors: C
authors: Burkart
authors: Carsten
authors: C
authors: Bokemeyer
authors: Bodo
authors: B
authors: Klump
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Pereira
authors: Reinhard
authors: R
authors: Teichmann
authors: Jörg Thomas
authors: JT
authors: Hartmann
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002945:Cisplatin; D002166:Camptothecin