Celecoxib, Paclitaxel, and Carboplatin in Treating Patients With Cancer of the Esophagus

Summary

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel and carboplatin, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Celecoxib may increase the effectiveness of a chemotherapy drug by making tumor cells more sensitive to the drug. Celecoxib may also stop the growth of tumor cells by stopping blood flow to the tumor and/or may block the enzymes necessary for their growth. Combining celecoxib with paclitaxel and carboplatin before surgery may shrink the tumor so that it can be removed during surgery. Giving celecoxib alone after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving celecoxib together with paclitaxel and carboplatin works in treating patients who are undergoing surgery for esophageal cancer.

Timeline

Start

2003-06

Primary completion

2007-05

Completion

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Drugs

Indications