Gong XL, et al. - The efficacy and adverse reactions of raltitrexed/cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel/cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy were compared in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer. Data displayed the potential of altitrexed/cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy to improve the 1-year survival rate and local progression-free survival rate of patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma. Between the two groups, with no identified cardiotoxicity, the adverse reactions were comparable.

Methods

• Two groups(the raltitrexed group (n=54) and the docetaxel group (n=50)) were formed for one hundred and four patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
• Using Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), all patients received chest radiotherapy.
• Chemotherapy was conducted for 2 cycles, including raltitrexed/cisplatin and docetaxel/cisplatin during the course of radiotherapy, in both groups.
• Between the two groups, the short-term efficacy and adverse effects were compared.

Results

• In the raltitrexed group, the objective response rate (RR) and the disease control rate (DCR) were 85.2%, 94.4%, and 80% and 92% in the docetaxel group (P=0.485 and 0.708, respectively).
• With a statistically significant difference (χ2=4.181, P=0.041), the 1-year survival rate was 85.1% in the raltitrexed group and 71.0% in the docetaxel group.
• Between the two groups, the median progression-free survival and 1-year progression-free survival were not significantly different (χ2=2.931, P=0.087).
• Results reported better 1-year local progression-free survival in the raltitrexed group than in the docetaxel group (χ2=4.063, P=0.044).
• Myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reaction and increased transferase were the main adverse reactions.
• These adverse reactions were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05).