Survival in patients with recurrent squamous cell head and neck carcinoma treated with bio-chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
We have shown that rIL-2 administration in recurrent head and neck cancers induces a tumor-specific T-lymphocyte reactivity and tumor regression; in a pilot study we have shown a safe and effective administration of rIL2 after cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil. Long-term results are not known.


METHODS
Thirty patients with recurrent-persistent head and neck cancer were treated with cisplatin (100 mg-m(2)) d.1,5-fluorouracil (1 gr-m(2)-d c.i. 96 h), and SQ rIL-2 (4.5 M IU day 8 to 12 and 15 to 19) every 3 weeks.


RESULTS
The overall response rate was 53.3% (95% CI; 34.4-72.3%): 26.6% complete response (CR) (8 patients) and 26.6% partial response (PR) (8 patients); 6 patients had SD (20%), 8 had PD (26.6%). The median follow-up was 36 months (range, 28-44). The median CR duration is 16.2 months (8.5-39+); the median survival duration of this group has not been reached. The median PR duration was 7.2 months (3-10); the median survival was 13.3 months (10-26). The median overall survival was 14 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The most impressive finding is the very long survival of CRs patients. This outcome has been reported in other cancer patients with a CR after IL-2 therapy.
Airoldi
M
M
Department of Medical Oncology, San Giovanni Antica Sede Hospital, Via Cavour 31, 10123 Torino, Italy.
De Stefani
A
A
Marchionatti
S
S
Pedani
F
F
Gabriele
P
P
Ragona
R
R
Cortesina
G
G
Bumma
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis
D007376:Interleukin-2; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil