Weekly Chemotherapy with Cisplatin and Paclitaxel and Concurrent Radiation Therapy as Preoperative Treatment in Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer: A Phase II Study

We evaluated the association of a weekly cisplatin (35 mg/mq) and paclitaxel (45 mg/mq) regimen with radiotherapy (46 Gy) as primary treatment in locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC). The main end point was the activity in terms of pathologic complete response (pathCR) rate. Thirty-three LAEC patients received chemoradiation therapy during weeks 1-6 followed by esophagectomy. A pathCR was observed in 10/33 patients; 20/33 and 3/33 patients showed PR and SD, respectively. The EUS maximal transverse cross sectional area reduction >50 significantly correlated with pathCR. Three-year survival rate was 35%. These results support the activity and mild toxicity of this regimen. © 2010 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.