title: A multi-center phase II study of docetaxel plus cisplatin as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic squamous cell esophageal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel and cisplatin combination chemotherapy in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with untreated metastatic squamous cell esophageal cancer, which was histologically proven with at least one measurable lesion, were eligible for the study. Docetaxel 70 mg/m(2) and cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) were intravenously given on day 1 of 21 days schedule.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From December 2004 to December 2007, total of 39 patients (M/F = 39/0) were enrolled. The median age was 65 years. Thirty-four patients were evaluable for response. There were 3 (7.7%) complete remission, 10 (25.6%) partial remission, 11 (28.2%) stable disease, and 10 (25.6%) progression disease. The objective tumor response rate was 33.3% in intention-to-treat (ITT). Median PFS was 5.0 months and median survival was 8.3 months. Median number of cycles administered was 3. The relative dose intensity of docetaxel and cisplatin was 92 and 91%, respectively. This treatment was comparatively tolerated with grade 3/4 neutropenia in 20.5%/10.3%, grade 3 infection in 2.6% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Docetaxel plus cisplatin combination chemotherapy showed promising antitumor activity with manageable toxicities in patients with metastatic squamous esophageal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology-Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine, 194 Dongsan-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-712, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Rok
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Do
authors.forename: Keon Uk
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Min Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyung Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sung Hwa
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Hun Mo
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Ryoo
authors.forename: Jin Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Hong Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D002945:Cisplatin