Vinorelbine and cisplatin in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus: response, toxicity, quality of life and survival

Background: Vinorelbine and cisplatin are active against squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma. The purpose of this phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vinorelbine plus cisplatin in previously untreated patients with metastatic squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma and to estimate the progression-free survival, overall survival and quality of life (QoL) of the patient population. Patients and methods: Seventy-one eligible patients were entered into a study of vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 plus cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) on day 1, every 3 weeks. Degree of dysphagia relief was monitored and QoL was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: All eligible patients were assessed for response and 24 achieved a confirmed partial response (33.8% 95% confidence interval 23-46); the median duration of response was 6.8 months, progression-free survival was 3.6 months and median survival of the whole group was 6.8 months. Toxicity was mainly related to neutropenia (grade 3/4 in 41% of patients). At cycle 2, 43% of the patients reported at least a moderate improvement in global health status/QoL and 25% experienced a large improvement. Conclusions: Vinorelbine plus cisplatin represents a well-tolerated active palliative regimen for patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. This combination may offer a better therapeutic index than cisplatin-5-fluorouracil.