Abstract 186P
Background
The monthly four-day infusion of cisplatin (P) combined with fluorouracil (F) is commonly used as a neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) regimen for locoregional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Nonetheless, a weekly PF regimen has achieved a comparable disease control rate in various cancer types and different situations. We aim to evaluate the difference in efficacy and safety between the weekly and monthly PF nCRT regimens in locoregional ESCC.
Methods
A retrospective review was conducted on the medical records and cancer registry database at the Taichung Veterans General Hospital (Taichung, Taiwan) between January 2020 and December 2023. Patients with histologically proven ESCC who received nCRT with the PF regimen were enrolled. Patients in the weekly group received weekly P (20 mg/m2) and F (800 mg/m2) for at least 6 cycles. Patients in the monthly group received monthly treatment of continuous infusion with P (20 mg/m2) and F (800 mg/m2) over 96 hours for 2 cycles. Clinical features, responses and safety profiles were compared.
Results
A total of 146 patients were analyzed. Fifty of them (34.2%) received weekly PF, and another 96 of them (65.8%) received monthly PF nCRT. The baseline characteristics were similar. There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical response rate (66.0% vs 71.9%; p = 0.719) and clinical complete response rate (32.0% vs 34.4%; p = 0.733). Grade 3 to 4 adverse events during nCRT were comparable (14.0% vs 15.6%; p = 0.795). Thirty-five of 50 (70.0%) in the weekly group and 77 of 96 (80.2%) in the monthly group underwent esophagectomy (p = 0.166). Table: 186P
| Weekly PF n = 50 | Monthly PF n = 96 | p-value | |
| Clinical complete response | 16 (32.0%) | 33 (34.4%) | 0.733 |
| Esophagectomy | 35 (70.0%) | 77 (80.2%) | 0.166 |
| Grade 3-4 adverse events | 7 (14.0%) | 15 (15.6%) | 0.795 |
Conclusions
Owing to similar response rates and safety profiles, the weekly PF regimen could be a potential alternative to the monthly PF regimen for nCRT in patients with locoregional ESCC.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.