Comparison of the Efficacy of Dual Chemotherapy Regimens in Second-Line Treatment of Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of folinic acid plus 5-fluorouracil plus irinotecan (FOLFIRI), carboplatin plus paclitaxel, and cisplatin plus 5-FU regimens in second-line treatment of metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer. Methods: The study included patients over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, stage 4 disease, who had progressed after first-line chemotherapy treatment for metastatic disease and received a dual chemotherapy regimen as a second-line chemotherapy. Results: The mean age of 58 patients was 56.4±12.3 years and 33 (56.9%) of them were women. Among 58 patients, 18 received carboplatin plus paclitaxel, 25 received cisplatin plus 5-FU and 15 received FOLFIRI regimen. Second-line chemotherapy responses were 6.9% complete, 41.4% partial, 17.2% stable, and 34.5% of the patients developed pro- gression. The median follow-up was 4.5 mo (0-46 mo). The median OS for all cohort was 14 mo (95% CI, 4.38-23.62) and there was no statistically difference between three groups (p=0.737). Conclusion: In our study, we observed that doublet chemotherapy regimens were effective in the second series treat- ment of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma and may be a good option for patients with good performance status and no access to immunotherapy.