A randomized phase II study of cisplatin/5-FU concurrent chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer: Short-term infusion versus protracted infusion chemotherapy (KROSG0101/JROSG021)

PurposeA randomized phase II study was conducted to compare the toxicity and efficacy of combining short-term chemotherapy (CT) or protracted CT with radiotherapy (RT) for esophageal cancer.Materials and methodsEligible patients were <75 years and with performance status (PS) of 0–2, and had stages II–IVA esophageal cancer. Two cycles of cisplatin 70 mg/m2 for 1 day and 5FU 700 mg/m2 for 5 days (arm A) or cisplatin 7 mg/m2 for 10 days and 5FU 250 mg/m2 for 14 days (arm B) were given with RT of 60 Gy/30 fractions/7 weeks (1-week split).ResultsOf 91 patients enrolled, 46 were randomized to arm A and 45 to arm B. Two cycles of CT were given concurrently with RT for 89% in arm A and for 71% in arm B with significant difference (P = .031). The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates for arm A were 46% and 35%, while those for arm B were 44% and 24%, respectively, without significant difference. The 2- and 5-year progression-free survival rates for arm A were 30% and 30%, while those for arm B were 29% and 12%, respectively.ConclusionsProtracted infusion CT with RT provides no advantage over standard short-term infusion CT with RT for esophageal cancer.