cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma

Seventeen consecutive patients with untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were treated with cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (DDP) by infusion at a dose of 3 mg/kg with mannitol diuresis. One patient had a partial response and six additional patients had subjective improvement in dysphagia and associated weight gain; however, no complete responses were noted. Toxic effects were mainly renal. There were no drug-related deaths. We conclude that DDP alone is not effective in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.