 1.3 Paclitaxel for esophageal cancer Paclitaxel in combination with cisplatin has shown favorable results for advanced esophageal carcinoma . A recent phase II study of bi-weekly administration of paclitaxel and cisplatin in 51 patients resulted in complete response in 4, partial response in 39, stable disease in 43 and progressive disease in 14 of patients, and a one-year survival of 43 . Several phase II trials have assessed combinations of taxanes paclitaxel and docetaxel and cisplatin and other agents, with response rates of 40-56 . 