A phase II study of single-agent docetaxel in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer

Background: To evaluate the activity and toxicity of docetaxel in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer. Patients and methods: Eligible patients had histologically confirmed carcinoma of the esophagus with measurable metastatic sites according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Patients were either chemotherapy-naïve or previously treated with one regimen of chemotherapy. Docetaxel 70 mg/m2 was administered intravenously over 1–2 h, every 21 days. Results: Of 52 patients enrolled in this study, three were excluded because they did not receive docetaxel due to worsening condition after enrollment. Thirty-six patients had received prior platinum-based chemotherapy. The majority of patients (94%) had squamous cell carcinoma. Ten of 49 evaluable patients [20%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 10–34%] showed a partial response. Of the 10 partial responses, six patients had received prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was noted in 43 of 49 patients (88%), and nine of 49 patients (18%) developed febrile neutropenia. Twenty-eight of 49 patients (57%) required lenograstim. Grade 3 anorexia and fatigue occurred in nine (18%) and six (12%) patients, respectively. Median survival time was 8.1 months (95% CI 6.6–11.3) and the 1-year survival rate was 35% (95% CI 21–48%). Conclusions: Docetaxel as a single agent is effective in esophageal cancer, but careful management of neutropenia is needed.