Phase II study of bi-weekly administration of paclitaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced oesophageal cancer
2002

Bi-weekly chemotherapy for advanced oesophageal cancer

Sample size: 51 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Polee M B, Eskens F A L M, van der Burg M E L, Splinter T A W, Siersema P D, Tilanus H W, Verweij J, Stoter G, van der Gaast A

Primary Institution: University Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt

Hypothesis

This study assesses the toxicity and efficacy of a bi-weekly combination of paclitaxel and cisplatin in treating advanced oesophageal cancer.

Conclusion

The bi-weekly treatment of paclitaxel and cisplatin is well tolerated and shows promising efficacy in patients with advanced oesophageal cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • The overall response rate was 43%, with 39% of patients achieving a partial response.
  • The median survival for all patients was 9 months, with a one-year survival rate of 43%.
  • Sensory neurotoxicity was the most common side effect, affecting 63% of patients.

Takeaway

Doctors tested a new way to give medicine to help people with a serious throat cancer, and it worked pretty well without making them too sick.

Methodology

Patients received paclitaxel and cisplatin every two weeks, with evaluations after three and six cycles.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and was limited to specific types of oesophageal cancer.

Participant Demographics

The median age of participants was 56 years, with a range from 32 to 78 years.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6600166

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