[Radiotherapy combined with pepleomycin administration for the treatment of esophageal cancer]

A combined therapy of pepleomycin (NK-613) and radiation was performed in 15 cases of esophageal and cancer. Twelve cases out of 15 were inoperable, and 3 cases were operable. NK-631 was administered by drip intravenous injection at a dose of 5 mg per day for 3 consecutive days weekly, aiming at total dose of 60-120 mg. Tumor regression rates, which were measured by planimeter on esophagogram, were 42-92% (mean 72%): two cases were more than 90%, and more than 50% in 12 cases. An average of the survival period of 15 cases was 57 weeks with 7 cases (46.7%) of 1 year survival, 2 cases (13.3%) of 2 year survival. The side effects of NK-631 observed in the present study consisted of fever 6, stomatitis 2, skin rash 2, and reversible pneumonitis 2. This study suggests that NK-631 exhibit remarkable anti-tumor effects on esophageal carcinoma, and seem to be less toxic.