Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin for locally advanced head and neck cancer: Long-term follow-up of a Brown University Oncology Group Phase II Study (HN-53).
BACKGROUND
A phase II study was conducted using concurrent paclitaxel, carboplatin, and external beam radiotherapy (RT) in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.


METHODS
Forty-three patients (stage III, n = 12; stage IV, n = 31) were treated with 8 cycles of weekly paclitaxel (60 mg/m(2)), carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] = 1), and RT (1.8 Gy daily; total dose, 66-72 Gy). Patients with initially palpable lymph nodes underwent neck dissection.


RESULTS
The overall clinical response rate was 91% (65% complete, 26% partial). Severe mucositis occurred in 37 (90%) patients, necessitating hospitalization in 13 (31%) patients. With a median follow-up of 49 months, the locoregional and distant failure rates were 26% and 21%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Concurrent paclitaxel, carboplatin, and RT for advanced head and neck cancer results in high complete response rates. Long-term follow-up has revealed the curative potential of this regimen, though the doses used resulted in unacceptable toxicity.
Department of Radiation Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Prakash B
PB
Chougule
Muhammad S
MS
Akhtar
Ritesh
R
Rathore
James
J
Koness
Robert
R
McRae
Peter
P
Nigri
Kathie
K
Radie-Keane
Teresa
T
Kennedy
Harold J
HJ
Wanebo
Neal
N
Ready
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052016:Mucositis / Q000209:etiology; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D015996:Survival Rate
D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel