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Feasibility of Preoperative Chemotherapy with Docetaxel, Cisplatin, and 5-Fluorouracil versus Adriamycin, Cisplatin, and 5-Fluorouracil for Resectable Advanced Esophageal Cancer

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) requires reassessment. We have conducted a trial aiming at the comparison between DCF and ACF concerning perioperative adverse events. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either DCF [docetaxel 70 mg/m2, cisplatin 70 mg/m2 on day 1, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 700 mg/m2 for 5 days] every 3 weeks or ACF (adriamycin 35 mg/m2, cisplatin 70 mg/m2 on day 1, and 5-FU 700 mg/m2 for 7 days) every 4 weeks. Each group consisted of 81 patients. Two cycles of preoperative chemotherapy were planned, after which patients underwent subtotal esophagectomy via a right thoracotomy with lymphadenectomy. Chemotherapy- and surgery-related adverse effects were assessed. Results: Grade 3-4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia occurred in 90 and 39% of patients, respectively, in the DCF group compared with 69 and 17% of patients, respectively, in the ACF group (p < 0.01). Perioperative complications did not differ significantly between the groups. The overall response rates of DCF and ACF were 61 and 40%, respectively, while the histopathological complete responses were 15 and 3%, respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The DCF and ACF regimens were found to be equally feasible in patients with resectable advanced ESCC; however, DCF delivered an antitumor effect and therefore potentially improved the long-term outcomes.