Irinotecan plus fluorouracil-based regimen as second or third-line chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: No standard second-line regimen exists for the treatment of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of irinotecan and fluorouracil-based chemotherapy as a second or third-line regimen for advanced ESCC patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of 27 consecutive patients with advanced ESCC in one institute, treated with a combination of irinotecan plus fluorouracil-based regimens after the failure of first-line platinum-based therapy. Nine patients were treated with 150-160 mg/m(2) irinotecan and 400 mg/m(2) fluorouracil (5-FU) on day 1, followed by 2000 mg/m(2) 5-FU during a 48-hour infusion every two weeks. Eighteen patients received 150-160 mg/m(2) irinotecan on day 1 and 80-120 mg/day S-1 on days 1-10 every two weeks. The S-1 dose was based on the patients' body surface area.

Results: Twenty-four of the 27 patients were assessable for response. One (3.7%) patient achieved complete response, seven (25.9%) achieved partial response, eight (29.6%) had stable disease, and eight (29.6%) had progressive disease. The median progression-free and overall survival were 4.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-8.4) and 10.5 months (95% CI: 8.4-12.7), respectively. Grade 3 neutropenia and diarrhea were detected in four (15%) and one (4%) patient, respectively. No grade 4 toxicity was noted.

Conclusions: Our study indicates that an irinotecan plus 5-FU-based regimen is effective and well-tolerated as a second or third-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced ESCC.