Radiotherapy with concurrent docetaxel beneficial in seniors with oesophageal cancer

Radiotherapy with concurrent docetaxel is safe and effective in elderly patients with oesophageal cancer, regardless of baseline renal function, according to a study.

The study included 73 patients aged ≥76 years who were diagnosed with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. They received radiotherapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions) and concurrent docetaxel (10 mg/m² weekly for six cycles), after which toxicity and treatment completion rates were retrospectively evaluated.

Of the patients, 49 showed declining renal function (creatinine clearance [Ccr] <60 mL/min; Ccr-L) while 24 had Ccr ≥60 mL/min (Ccr-H).

The overall response rates were 80 percent in the Ccr-L group and 75 percent in the Ccr-H. The 1-year and 3-year progression-free survival rates did not differ between the two groups: 42 percent and 28 percent in the Ccr-L group vs 38 percent and 18 percent in the Ccr-H group (p=0.45).

Likewise, overall survival rates at years 1 and 3 were similar: 65 percent and 39 percent in the Ccr-L group vs 62 percent and 22 percent in the Ccr-H group (p=0.2). The median survival time was 21 and 20 months, respectively (p=0.2).

The regimen was also similarly safe regardless of renal function. Grade 1 acute kidney injury occurred in 8 percent of patients each in the Ccr-L and the Ccr-H groups. There was no significant between-group difference in the number of patients with haematological or nonhaematological toxicities. None of the patients overall developed grade 4 or 5 toxicities.

Finally, treatment completion rates were comparable (88 percent in the Ccr-L group vs 92 percent in the Ccr-H group).