Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Background: Induction chemotherapy (IC) is a treatment option for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA SCCHN). However, treatment with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU (TPF) followed by cisplatin and radiotherapy is controversial because of toxicity concerns. The aim of this phase II study was to assess the feasibility of docetaxel, cisplatin, and cetuximab (TPEx) followed by cetuximab and concurrent radiotherapy for LA SCCHN.Patients and Methods: We enrolled patients with histological evidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx without distant metastases. IC comprised cisplatin (75 mg/m2) and docetaxel (75 mg/m2) on day 1, repeated every 3 weeks for up to three courses. Cetuximab was initiated at 400 mg/m2, followed by 250 mg/m2 doses weekly until the end of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy (70 Gy/35 fr/7 w) was initiated after the last docetaxel administration. The primary endpoint was the rate of treatment completion.Results: We enrolled 54 patients (median age, 58 years) between August 2013 and October 2015. Our patients were 49 males and 5 females with hypopharyngeal (n = 28), oropharyngeal (n = 19), or laryngeal (n = 7) cancers, and 48 of them had stage IV disease. The overall response rate was 72.2% with a median follow-up of 36.1 months and a 3-year overall survival of 90.7%. The treatment completion rate was 76%; 50 patients (93%) received ≥2 courses of IC, and 41 (76%) completed radiotherapy. The frequencies of grade ≥3 febrile neutropenia or allergy/infusion reactions were 39% and 11%, respectively. There was one treatment-related death.Conclusions: IC with TPEx followed by cetuximab with concurrent radiotherapy showed acceptable compliance for the treatment of LA SCCHN. However, high frequency of febrile neutropenia remains a challenge and further improvement in the management of TPEx is necessary.Trial Registration: UMIN000009928
Highlights
Induction chemotherapy (IC) is a treatment option for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA SCCHN) and allows for organ preservation
The primary endpoint was the treatment completion rate, which we identified in cases satisfying all of the following criteria: [1] patients received two or more IC courses; [2] irradiation was initiated within 6 weeks between the last IC course and the start of the radiotherapy; [3] full-dose irradiation was completed within 10 weeks; and [4] received cetuximab administration >12 times during their treatment
Total 54 eligible patients with a median age of 58 years participated in the study (49 males and 5 females, 48 with stage IV disease) between August 2013 and October 2015 (Figure 2)
Summary
Induction chemotherapy (IC) is a treatment option for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA SCCHN). Treatment with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU (TPF) followed by cisplatin and radiotherapy is controversial because of toxicity concerns. The aim of this phase II study was to assess the feasibility of docetaxel, cisplatin, and cetuximab (TPEx) followed by cetuximab and concurrent radiotherapy for LA SCCHN
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
