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.

Conclusion: 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.