Paclitaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a phase II trial from an Italian cooperative group.
The aim of this multicenter trial was to test the feasibility and the activity of a three-drug combination where paclitaxel is added to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Patients with metastatic or relapsed SCC-HN unsuitable for further loco-regional radical treatment, not previously treated with chemotherapy, were eligible to receive paclitaxel 160 mg/m2 (3-hr infusion) day 1, CDDP 25 mg/m2/day and 5-FU 250 mg/m2/day bolus on days 1, 2, 3 every three weeks up to a maximum of five courses. Fourty-seven patients were enrolled by five Institutions in Italy. Main grade III-IV toxicities were: neutropenia (48%), thrombocytopenia (6%), anemia (4%), diarrhea (2%), mucositis (2%). Six patients had a complete response (13.3%) and eight a partial response (17.8%). Median progression free survival and overall survival are 4.1 and 7.9 months. One-year progression free survival and overall survival are 16% and 29%. This three-drug regimen has an excellent safety profile. The activity in the palliation of recurrent SCC-HN, however, does not appear to be improved in comparison with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil or cisplatin and paclitaxel regimens. Recent studies indicate a more promising role of taxanes including triplets in the induction therapy of previously untreated patients.
Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy. marco.benasso@istge.it
Marco
M
Benasso
Anna
A
Ponzanelli
Marco
M
Merlano
Gianmuro
G
Numico
Isabella
I
Ricci
Viviana
V
Vigo
Francesco
F
Grossi
Dino
D
Amadori
Giovanna
G
Cavallo
Barbara
B
Capaccetti
Paola
P
Taveggia
Luca
L
Boni
Riccardo
R
Rosso
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage
D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil