Clinical observation of nedaplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil intravenous infusion in the treatment of advanced squamous-cell carcinoma of esophagus

Objective To evaluate efficacy and toxic effects of nedaplatin plus 5-fluorouracil intravenouss infusion in treatment of advanced squamous-cell carcinoma of esophagus.Methods A total of 27 patients with advanced squamous-cell carcinoma of esophagus were selected and nedaplatin was administered at a dose of 80-100 mg/m2 with 500ml of saline by drip infusion for 2 hours on day 1,and 5-fluorouracil at a dose of 0.25 g/(m2·day)given by intravenous drip over 24 hours on days 1 to 14.The chemotherapy was repeatedly given every 28 days and the efficacy was evaluated after 2 cycles of treatment.Results Response and toxicity could be assessed in all the 27 patients.The overall response rate was 55.6%,of 19 patients who had not received chemotherapy previously,12 showed partial response,with a response rate of 63.2%.Of 8 patients previously treated with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil,3 showed partial response,with a response rate of 37.5%.The major toxic reaction was myelosuppression,in which grade Ⅲ-IV thrombocytopenia was observed in 4 patients(14.8%)and grade Ⅲ-IV neutropenia in 7 patients(25.9%).Gastrointestinal toxic reaction was mild and renal or hepatic toxicity was not observed.Conclusions The combined chemotherapy with nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil can be considered as the first-line regimen in the treatment of advanced squamous-cell carcinoma of esophagus,in which nedaplatin may be a substitute for cisplatin.It is effective not only for the patients having not received chemotherapy previously,but also for those resistant to cisplatin.This regimen is effective and well tolerated.