Response to paclitaxel in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands.
BACKGROUND
Paclitaxel is not considered to be an active drug in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the salivary glands. We report 2 consecutive cases of patients with ACC who responded to paclitaxel.


METHODS
The patients were: (1) a 58-year-old man with recurrent ACC who developed pulmonary metastases, had progressive disease after a good response to first-line chemotherapy, and then achieved a partial response to weekly single- agent paclitaxel; and (2) a 46-year-old woman with extensive thoracic ACC metastases who achieved a significant response after 2 cycles of paclitaxel chemotherapy.


RESULTS
The first patient died of progressive disease approximately 4 months after completing paclitaxel therapy, and the second patient had disease control after 6 cycles of paclitaxel.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic weekly paclitaxel produced a significant response in 2 patients with ACC of the head and neck, and its use in this disease merits further study.
Till
Brian G
BG
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N., D3-190, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA. tillb@fhcrc.org
Martins
Renato G
RG
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011859:Radiography; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel