Background/aim: Platinum plus 5-fluorouracil (FP) is a first-line regimen of palliative chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (RM-ESCC). In this retrospective study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of S-1 monotherapy as a salvage line treatment for RM-ESCC, focusing on the reasons for discontinuation of prior FP.
Materials and methods: The subjects of this study had RM-ESCC and received S-1 after failure of FP.
Results: Eleven patients were enrolled. Nine patients were refractory and two were intolerant to prior FP. The median progression-free survival and overall survival time were 3.0 and 11.7 months, respectively. Overall response rate was 22.2% and disease control rate of the 11 patients was 36.4%. Median relative dose intensity of 5-FU was 100% (range=85-100%).
Conclusion: S-1 efficacy in RM-ESCC when given after FP was modest. Favorable OS may be attributed to good local control rather than to the efficacy of S-1 monotherapy.
Keywords: Esophageal cancer; S-1; monotherapy; salvage; squamous cell carcinoma.
Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.