Docetaxel/ TS-1 with radiation for unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus - A phase II trial

Background: We tried a new regimen of docetaxel / TS-1 (tegafur-gimestat-otastat potassium) combined with radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in a phase II trial. Patients and Methods: The patients, whose tumor invaded other organs without other organ metastasis, were given TS-1 (60 mg/m²/day) from days 1 to 14, and docetaxel (20-30 mg/m²) on days 1 and 8. They received radiation in 2.0 Gy from days 1 to 21. Patients were given a seven-day rest after the first course, and then were treated with the same regimen from days 28 to 49. Results: Seventeen cases were enrolled in the study. The response rate was 76.4% (13/17). The overall 5-year survival rate was 29.6% (5/17) and median survival time was 15.2 months. Adverse events more than grade 3 occurred in 10 cases. Conclusion: This combination therapy may be one of the most effective treatments because of its lower rate of non-hematological adverse events and higher response rate. Three cases also underwent salvage surgery when the tumor recurred, and in one case, chemoradiation to a metastatic nodule on the thoracic wall was added.