Carboplatin and paclitaxel treatment is effective in advanced anal cancer.

BACKGROUND

The development of distant metastases of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) is rare but has a poor prognosis. A combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel is commonly used for treating squamous cell cancer in different organs, but its efficacy in advanced SCCA is unclear. The objective of this study is to determine the tolerability and outcome of patients with advanced SCCA on carboplatin plus paclitaxel treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was conducted by looking at records from the Moffitt Cancer Center Tumor Registry from January 2007 to January 2012. Eligible patients had to have a diagnosis of SCCA and have received carboplatin plus paclitaxel every 3 weeks as part of the treatment plan.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients fulfilled the criteria; 14 were initially diagnosed with early-stage disease and received concurrent chemoradiation, but then relapsed. Median age was 56 years. Upon diagnosis of metastatic disease, 12 patients received carboplatin plus paclitaxel as a first-line treatment. Five patients had received prior systemic chemotherapy regimens and 1 had received prior local regional therapy. The response rate was high at 53% including 3 patients who achieved a complete response. Median overall survival was 12.19 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Carboplatin and paclitaxel treatment shows encouraging activity in advanced SCCA.