title: Feasibility study of single agent Cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy in Japanese patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: preliminary results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with the single agent cisplatin (CDDP + RT) has been recognized worldwide as the standard treatment for unresectable locally advanced SCCHN. The objective of this study was to clarify the feasibility of CDDP + RT in Japanese patients. Patients and methods Patients with unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were given single daily fractionated radiation (70 Gy at 2 Gy/day) and chemotherapy consisting of a 2 h infusion of CDDP 100 mg/m(2) on days 1, 22 and 43. The primary endpoint was the rate of completion of CDDP + RT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between November 2005 and January 2007, 20 patients were enrolled, 19 males and one female with a median age of 61.5 years (range 50-74). One patient had recurrent unresectable disease after surgery and the remaining 19 had stage IV disease. No grade 4 hematologic toxicities were observed. The incidence of grade 3 mucositis was 55% and no treatment-related death occurred. Full-dose irradiation was performed in all patients, with a median duration of radiotherapy of 50 days (range 48-54). Although all patients received the first two administrations of CDDP, the third dose was administed in 17 patients (85%). The rate of completion of CDDP + RT was 85% and the dose intensity of CDDP was 28.9 mg/m(2)/week (relative dose intensity 89%). Overall complete response rate was 50% and the rate of primary complete response was 90%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concurrent chemoradiation therapy with the standard dose of CDDP is feasible in Japanese patients. Treatment modification based on racial differences is not necessary.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan. szenda@east.ncc.go.jp
authors.forename: Sadamoto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zenda
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Onozawa
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tahara
authors.forename: Mitsuhiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawashima
authors.forename: Naoto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shikama
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Narikazu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boku
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052016:Mucositis / Q000209:etiology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin