Carboplatin. The better platinum in head and neck cancer?
Chemotherapeutic regimens containing cisplatin are the most effective ones in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Because of the high rate of dose-limiting side effects of cisplatin, carboplatin, a second-generation cisplatin analogue, was tested in a phase II trial with fluorouracil in 55 previously untreated patients with advanced carcinoma of the head and neck. Among the 52 patients who completed the study, there were 17 complete responses (33%), 28 partial responses (54%), five patients with no change (10%), and two with progressive disease (4%). Toxic side effects of all courses summed together included leukopenia in 65% of courses, thrombocytopenia in 45% of courses, nausea or vomiting in 29% of courses, and change in serum creatinine level in 3% of courses. These data were compared with the results of our study with cisplatin and fluorouracil in comparable patients and indicated that carboplatin and fluorouracil is better for induction chemotherapy in the treatment of head and neck cancer than cisplatin and fluorouracil due to similar effectiveness but less toxic effect.
Volling
P
P
HNO-Universitätsklinik, Cologne, West Germany.
Schröder
M
M
Rauschning
W
W
Achterrath
W
W
Stennert
E
E
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001769:Blood / Q000187:drug effects; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil