Analysis of weekly paclitaxel chemotherapy for esophageal cancer

PURPOSE: Public knowledge-based application for paclitaxe(l PAC) has been approved for advanced or recurrent esophageal cancer. We investigated the feasibility of weekly PAC chemotherapy as a second-line or subsequent regimen for metastatic or recurrent esophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients received PAC( 100 mg/m2 intravenously) on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36 of each 8-week period. We analyzed the toxicity and efficacy in 6 patients treated with the weekly PAC chemotherapy. RESULTS: Grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia, leukopenia, and anemia. Two patients had stable disease and 2 had progressive disease. CONCLUSION: By managing the side effects, weekly PAC therapy is considered a feasible regimen that can be administered on an outpatient basis.