A phase I/II study of docetaxel (D) and concomitant boost radiation (CBR) for patients with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN) following induction chemotherapy (IC)

Abstract

5548 Background: We have previously reported the results of Sequential Therapy (ST) with IC followed by weekly D and concurrent daily XRT (Cancer, 2002). In this Phase I/II trial, we investigated concurrent weekly D and the more dose intensive CBR radiation schedule after IC in patients with locally advanced SCCHN. Methods: All patients (AJCC Stage III -7% or IV -93%) were treated with IC (90% 3 cycles; 10% 1 or 2) using cisplatin/5-FU (PF), carboplatinum-F or DPF. Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) consisted of 4 weekly doses of D @ 20 or 25mg/M2 (15 patients/dose level) concurrently with the first 4 weeks of CBR (1.8 Gy qD X 18, 1.8/1.5 Gy bid X 12). Results: 31 patients were enrolled and 30 are evaluable. Median follow up is 21 months, (range of 6–40). Primary sites were: oropharynx 19, oral cavity 2, larynx/hypopharynx 5, unknown primary 4. 87% of patients had N2/N3 disease, 60% had T3/T4 disease. Only 20% of patients had a CR to IC and 50% had a CR to ST (IC, CRT, and Surgery) with 2 PD and 13 PRs. The 2 patien...