S-1 Salvage Chemotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Refractory to the Standard Chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective: Fluorouracil, cisplatin, and taxane are widely used in the standard chemotherapy regimens for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Although S-1 is expected to demonstrate considerable efficacy for ESCC, there is any clinical data. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-1 as salvage chemotherapy for ESCC.Methods: From 2007 to 2014, fifteen patients with ESCC refractory or refusal to the standard chemotherapy were treated with S-1 as salvage treatment at the Kyoto University Hospital and their clinical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results:The median age was 70 years old (range: 63-77). A complete response (CR) was achieved in 1 case (7%). A stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) were seen in 9 (60%) and 5 (33%) cases, respectively. After a follow-up duration of 13.9 months, median progression free survival and overall survival was 6.2 and 10.0 months, respectively. One-year survival rate was 33.3%. Toxicities greater than CTCAE grade 3 were observed in 3 of 15 patients (20%). Two patients had grade 3 neutropenia and one patient had grade 3 diarrhea. There was no treatment related death.Conclusions: S-1 salvage chemotherapy could be expected to be an effective and safe treatment option to improve the prognosis of patients with ESCC refractory to the standard chemotherapy.