Nanoparticle polymeric micellar paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nanoparticle polymeric micellar paclitaxel (NPMP) in the treatment of patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Patients with histologically confirmed advanced ESCC who had not received prior chemotherapy were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: NPMP group (NPMP plus nedaplatin) and paclitaxel group (paclitaxel plus nedaplatin). Main endpoints were the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety; progression‐free survival (PFS) was assessed as a secondary outcome. One hundred and eighty patients were eligible and enrolled. Compared with the paclitaxel group, the NPMP group showed an ORR of 62.2% and a DCR of 92.2% versus 46.6% ( p = .036) and 78.9% ( p = .011), respectively. Median PFS in the NPMP group (6.8 months) was slightly longer than that in the paclitaxel group (6.4 months, p = .809). Regarding safety, the regimen containing NPMP exhibited better tolerability and fewer severe adverse events compared with paclitaxel‐based regimens. NPMP combined with nedaplatin demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy and enhanced treatment tolerability compared with the paclitaxel–nedaplatin regimen as first‐line treatment for patients with advanced ESCC.