CISPLATIN AND ETOPOSIDE IN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER - A PHASE-II STUDY

In the search for effective chemotherapy regimens which can be used in multimodality treatment programmes for patients with cancer of the oe sophagus, we conducted a phase II trial to determine the activity and toxicity of the combination of cisplatin and etoposide in patients wit h advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. Seventy-three co nsecutive patients with unresectable or metastatic squamous cell carci noma of the thoracic oesophagus were treated with cisplatin 80 mg m(-2 ) by 4 h infusion on day 1, etoposide 100 mg (fixed dose) by 2 h infus ion on day 1 and 2, and etoposide 200 mg m(-2) orally on day 3 and 5. Courses were repeated every 4 weeks, for a maximum of six courses. The oral dosages of etoposide were modified individually until a signific ant degree of myelosuppression was reached. Of 65 evaluable patients, five complete responses (CRs) and 26 partial responses (PRs) were seen , for an overall response rate of 48% (95% confidence interval 35-60%) . Median time to progression was 7 months (range 3-72 + months). There were two toxic deaths (neutropenic sepsis). The response rate equals that of other cisplatin-based regimens. Its toxicity profile allows ad dition of a third active drug such as 5-fluorouracil.