Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the regimen based on platinum compound plus docetaxel in the treatment of advanced esophageal carcinoma as first-line drug, and to further explore prognostic factors of advanced esophageal carcinoma by survival analysis.METHODS: From August 2006 to October 2008, 36 patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma were enrolled in the study, and non-randomly assigned to docetaxel 75 mg/m² in the first day every 3 weeks, combined with cisplatin 25 mg/m² in the first day to third day or in the first day to forth day ( DT, n =27), or with carboplatin AUC =5 on day 1( CT, n =9).RESULTS: The curative and toxic side effects were evaluated to the 36 patients.There were 1 complete respone, 17 partial respone, 11 no changes and 7 progressive disease in 36 patients with total response rate of 50.00 %.The response rates of DT, CT regimen were 59.26 % and 22.22 % ( P =0.121).The major side effects were nausea-vomiting, all side effects were reversible by symptomatic treatment.After a median follow-up of 8.70 months, the overall median survival was 10.50 months( 95 %CI 7.36 to 13.64 months). The COX univariate regression analysis suggested there was no correlation with sex, age and the hemoglobin of before chemotherapy with existence.But there was statistical significance between the behavior state of chemotherapy and the existence( P =0.036).CONCLUSION: The regimen based on platinum compound plus docetaxel is tolerable and more effective as a first-line treatment for advanced esophageal carcinoma.Patients with good performance status before chemotherapy indicates good prognosis and it is an independent factor affecting survival for advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Key words: advanced esophageal carcinoma, docetaxel, cisplatin, carboplatin