title: Phase I/II study of docetaxel/cisplatin/fluorouracil combination chemotherapy against metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  More effective regimens are urgently needed for squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus (SCCE), therefore, we conducted a phase I/II trial of a combination of docetaxel, platinum, and fluorouracil (TPF) for treating metastatic SCCE.
  
  
  METHODS
  This phase I/II trial (n = 12/39) was conducted in our institute from April 2005 to June 2008. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The recommended dose of docetaxel was determined to be 50 mg/m in phase I. In phase II with a mean follow-up period of 13.3 months, the objective response rate was 66.6%, a median survival period of 13 months and PFS of 7 months was achieved, and the 1-year survival and PFS rates were 52.9% and 19.6%, respectively. Grade 3/4 toxicities of leukopenia, neutropenia, and anorexia were observed in 53.8%, 43.6%, and 25.6%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A TPF regimen against metastatic SCCE was well tolerated and achieved a favorable objective response rate and survival benefit compared with other recently reported regimens. Randomized phase III trials of the TPF regimen are warranted and urgently required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Keiyukai Sapporo Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arimura
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okahara
authors.forename: Tokuma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanuma
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kodaira
authors.forename: Kaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hokari
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsukagoshi
authors.forename: Yasuhisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shinomura
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosokawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil