[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal cancer by administration of nedaplatin alone]

The possibility of safe implementation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy using nedaplatin (254-S) was investigated with the aim of improving the therapeutic results in advanced esophageal cancer patients. The subjects had usually undergone two courses of 254-S, 80 or 100 mg/m2, preoperatively, at intervals of 4 weeks. After chemotherapy, responses were evaluated, and resection was undertaken 4 weeks after the final administration. The subjects were 10 patients with untreated esophageal cancer. As a result of evaluation of responses of main lesions to chemotherapy, a partial response (PR) was observed in 3 patients, and a minor response 3, showing an efficacy rate of 30%. Pathological findings before treatment were determined by staining of a cell cycle marker (Ki-67). The 3 patients who were evaluated as PR (clinical efficacy) showed high rates of positivity for Ki-67 of 47.4%, 52.7%, and 86%, respectively. There were no serious complications and no death related to operation. The observations suggested that 254-S, which has little or no side effects including nephrotoxicity, can become the standard remedy for esophageal cancer instead of CDDP in future.