Safety and efficacy of a combination of docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with unknown primary cancer

Abstract

Objectives: Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of docetaxel and cisplatin in the treatment of unknown primary cancer.

Patients and methods: Inclusion criteria included histologic evidence of carcinoma originating in an unknown primary organ, no prior chemotherapy, age range 20 to 75 years, WHO PS < or =3, measurable or evaluable lesions, and adequate organ function. Docetaxel (60 mg/m2) followed by cisplatin (80 mg/m2) was administered intravenously every 3 weeks. Patients were assessed for tumor response after 2 cycles of chemotherapy, and 4 additional cycles were administered unless disease progression was demonstrated.

Results: Between September 1997 and September 2002, 45 patients were enrolled. The median age was 56.5 years (28-73 years), and their performance status (PS) were 0 (11 patients), 1 (26 patients), and 2 (6 patients), respectively, (2 patients were removed from the trial after initial enrollment). A total of 26 patients (60%) presented with lymphadenopathy, 14 patients (33%) with visceral disease, and 3 (7%) with bone and soft-tissue metastases. The overall response rate was 65.1% (4 complete response, 24 partial response, 8 NC, 7 progressive diseases: 95% confidence interval, 48.0-78.4). The median time to progression was 5.0 months. The median survival time was 11.8 months. No treatment-related deaths were observed. Commonly observed side effects included neutropenia (grade 3-4, 16 patients), nausea (grade 3, 13 patients), and nephrotoxicity (grade 2, 5 patients).

Conclusions: These results indicate that the combination of docetaxel and cisplatin is a safe and effective regimen for patients with unknown primary cancer.