title: Phase II randomized study of concomitant chemoradiation using weekly carboplatin/paclitaxel with or without daily subcutaneous amifostine in patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: The treatment of head and neck cancer continues to evolve. The recent use of aggressive chemoradiotherapy protocols has resulted in significant morbidity involving mucositis, dysphagia, and a higher rate of feeding tube dependency. We have initiated a randomized phase II study with concomitant chemoradiotherapy with or without subcutaneous amifostine (Ethyol, WR-2721; MedImmune, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD). This article presents a detailed background, rationale, and endpoints for this study and discusses future directions in the treatment of head and neck cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Head and Neck Division, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wirth
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Costello
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: Marshall
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Posner
mesh_terms: D004999:Amifostine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D016190:Carboplatin; D004999:Amifostine; D017239:Paclitaxel