Hydroxyurea with concomitant radiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer.
Hydroxyurea is an active single agent in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. It has been used clinically, most frequently as a radiation-enhancing agent with concomitant radiotherapy. Pilot trials testing hydroxyurea in this setting reported encouraging results. Two randomized trials have been conducted with inconclusive results, possibly relating to study cohort size and short period of follow-up. More recently, hydroxyurea has been investigated with 5-fluorouracil and concomitant radiotherapy. A sound theoretic rationale can be made for this approach and data derived from a phase I/II study are presented. These support the further investigation of this regimen.
Vokes
E E
EE
Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, IL 60637-1470.
Haraf
D J
DJ
Panje
W R
WR
Schilsky
R L
RL
Weichselbaum
R R
RR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D015996:Survival Rate
D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D005472:Fluorouracil; D006918:Hydroxyurea