Weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
BACKGROUND
The combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin is active in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). However, considerable toxicity develops with 3-weekly drug administration. Treatment on a weekly basis may allow for a higher dose intensity with less adverse effects.


METHODS
Enrolled in this study were 31 patients with locally advanced, metastatic or relapsed SCCHN, most of them pretreated. They received weekly i.v. infusions of 80 mg/m(2) paclitaxel over 1 h combined with carboplatin at an area under the concentration time curve of 2 mg/ml/min over 30 min.


RESULTS
The overall response rate was 52% with 1 complete response and 16 partial responses. Median progression-free survival was 5.4 months, median overall survival 12.8 months. Grade 3/4 hematologic adverse events occurred in 7 patients and grade 3 peripheral neuropathy in one. 10 patients required dose reduction or treatment delay due to neutropenia, thrombocytopenia or neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Weekly administration of paclitaxel and carboplatin appears to be safe and efficacious in patients with advanced, metastatic or recurrent SCCHN.
Moosmann
P
P
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland.
Egli
F
F
Stahel
R A
RA
Jost
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel