A Trial of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage II, III Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage II, III Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The purpose of this study is to determine whether docetaxel, cisplatin, and capecitabine (DCX) are effective as the neoadjuvant chemotherapy before esophagectomy in patients with loco-regional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologic diagnosis of squamous cell thoracic esophageal carcinoma of Stage II or III, which is potentially resectable.
2. Patients must not have received any prior anticancer therapy.
3. More than 6 months of expected survival.
4. Age ranges from 18 to 70 years.
5. Absolute white blood cells count ≥4.0×109/L, neutrophil ≥1.5×109/L, platelets ≥100.0×109/L, hemoglobin ≥90g/L, and normal functions of liver and kidney.
6. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) of 90 or more.
7. Signed informed consent document on file.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients are diagnosed or suspected to be allergic to docetaxol or cisplatin or capecitabine.
2. Patients with concomitant hemorrhagic disease.
3. Pregnant or breast feeding.
4. Inability to use gastric conduit after esophagectomy because of a prior surgery.
5. Patients with concomitant peripheral neuropathy, whose common toxicity criterion (CTC) status is 2 or even more.
6. Have a prior malignancy other than esophageal carcinoma, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, nonmelanoma skin cancer or cured early stage of prostate cancer.