Definitive concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) with weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin for patients (pts) with irresectable esophageal cancer: A phase II study.

e14508 Background: This multicenter phase II study investigated the efficacy and feasibility of a non-cisplatin based definitive CRT regimen consisting of carboplatin and paclitaxel and concurrent radiotherapy for pts with irresectable esophageal carcinoma. Methods: Patients with locally irresectable (T4N0-1M0) carcinoma of the esophagus received CRT consisting of RT (50.4 Gy in 28 fractions, 5 days/week) and concurrent paclitaxel 50 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC = 2 on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and 35. Results: From December 2003 to November 2007 52 patients: male/female 34/18, median age 63 (42-76), squamous/adeno/undifferentiated carcinoma 36/14/2, lymph node involvement yes/no 44/8 were enrolled. Forty-two pts completed CRT without delay or dose-reduction, 6 pts received less than 6 courses chemotherapy but completed radiotherapy, and 4 pts received less than 46 Gy radiotherapy and less than 6 courses of chemotherapy. Major toxicities (grade ≥ 3): neutropenia 16%, thrombocytopenia 4%, esophagitis 12%, fatigue...