[Phase II study of cisplatin in esophageal carcinoma]

A multi-institutional cooperative phase II study of Cisplatin for esophageal carcinoma was conducted. Cisplatin was administered by i.v. infusion at 10-20 mg/m2 body surface area daily for 5 days and repeated every 3-4 weeks (method A) or at 50-100 mg/m2 body surface area once every 3-4 weeks (method B). Out of 78 cases entered, 47 were evaluable. No complete response (CR) was obtained and partial responses (PR) were observed in 10 cases, the overall response rate being 21.3%. Response rates by administration methods A and B were 12.5% and 25.8%, respectively. Responders to treatment exhibited significantly longer survival periods compared to non-responders (p less than 0.05, generalized Wilcoxon test). Major adverse reactions were gastrointestinal symptoms, generalized malaise, bone marrow suppression and renal disorders. One case of leukopenia leading to eventual death from pneumonia was observed.