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Title: Paclitaxel-Based Chemoradiotherapy in the Treatment of Patients With Operable Esophageal Cancer

Journal Article · · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics
; ;  [1]; ; ;  [2];  [3];  [1]
  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (United States)
  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Transplantation, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (United States)
  3. Department of General Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (United States)

Purpose: To compare a neoadjuvant regimen of cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and concurrent radiation therapy (RT) with paclitaxel-based regimens and RT in the management of operable esophageal (EC)/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. Methods and Materials: All patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) and RT for EC/GEJ cancer at Duke University between January 1995 and December 2004 were included. Clinical end points were compared for patients receiving paclitaxel-based regimens (TAX) vs. alternative regimens (non-TAX). Local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Chi-square analysis was performed to test the effect of TAX on pathologic complete response (pCR) rates and toxicity. Results: A total of 109 patients received CT-RT followed by esophagectomy (95 M; 14 F). Median RT dose was 45 Gy (range, 36-66 Gy). The TAX and non-TAX groups comprised 47% and 53% of patients, respectively. Most (83%) TAX patients received three drug regimens including platinum and a fluoropyrimidine. In the non-TAX group, 89% of the patients received cisplatin and 5-FU. The remainder received 5-FU or capecitabine alone. Grade 3-4 toxicity occurred in 41% of patients receiving TAX vs. 24% of those receiving non-TAX (p = 0.19). Overall pCR rate was 39% (39% with TAX vs. 40% with non-TAX, p = 0.9). Overall LC, DFS, and OS at 3 years were 80%, 34%, and 37%, respectively. At 3 years, there were no differences in LC (75% vs. 85%, p = 0.33) or OS (37% vs. 37%, p = 0.32) between TAX and non-TAX groups. Conclusions: In this large experience, paclitaxel-containing regimens did not improve pCR rates or clinical end points compared to non-paclitaxel-containing regimens.

OSTI ID:
21039580
Journal Information:
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 69, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.03.035; PII: S0360-3016(07)00557-3; Copyright (c) 2007 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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