Abstract: Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects of TP regimen consisting of taxol (TAX) and cisplatin (DDP) for treating refractory and terminal squamous cancer of the esophagus. Methods Totally 64 patients with stage IV squamous cancer of the esophagus, who failed to respond to a tow-course regiment, were treated with TP regimen with intravenous infusion of TAX 175 mg/m² on day 1 and DDP 30 mg/d on days 2-6. After 3 consecutive treatment course, each for 28 days, evaluation of the short-term efficacy and adverse effects was carried out. Results All the 64 patients completed altogether 192 treatment courses of TP regiment, resulting in a total response rate of 59.4% including 9 patients with complete remission (CR) and 29 with partial remission (PR). Stabilization (SD) was achieved in 12 patients while 14 failed to respond favorably and had further progression (PD) of the disease. The median remission duration was 4.8 months, median TTP 4.4 months and median survival of 9.8 months (4-28 months). The main adverse effect of the regimen was bone marrow depression. Conclusion TP regimen for treating refractory and terminal squamous cancer of the esophagus is clinically effective and well tolerated.