© 2004 Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research
A Phase II Study of Paclitaxel plus Cisplatin Chemotherapy in an Unfavourable Group of Patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary Site
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
For reprints and all correspondence: Yeon Hee Park, Division of Medical Oncology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, 215-4, Gongneung-Dong, Nowon-ku, Seoul 139-706, Korea. E-mail: yhpark{at}kcch.re.kr
Received June 24, 2004; accepted September 23, 2004
Objective: We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of combined paclitaxel and cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with cancer of unknown primary site (CUP). Efficacy was evaluated in terms of response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival.
Methods: Thirty-seven patients with CUP were enrolled between January 2001 and September 2003 at Korea Cancer Center Hospital. The patients received 21-day cycles of paclitaxel (175 mg/m2 i.v.) with cisplatin (60 mg/m2 i.v.) given on the first day.
Results: Of the 37 patients, 31 had adenocarcinoma subtypes. The overall response rate of 26 patients with measurable lesions was 42% [95% confidence interval (CI) 23–61%]. Stable disease was seen in six patients and progressive disease in nine. Median time to progression was 4 months (95% CI 1.3–6.8). Median overall survival was 11 months (95% CI 8.3–13.5). The major toxicities were neuropathy and neutropenia. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 10 patients, but febrile neutropenia was seen in four.
Conclusions: This combined paclitaxel and cisplatin regimen was well tolerated with an encouraging level of effectiveness for patients with CUP.
Key Words: carcinoma of unknown primary site (CUP) • cisplatin • paclitaxel