Induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
A phase II study was carried out to investigate an induction regimen with cisplatin, paclitaxel followed by radiotherapy concurrent with weekly cisplatin for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.


METHODS
Stage III-IV disease patients were eligible. Two cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) courses were administered every 21 days followed by standard fractionated external beam radiotherapy (approximately 70 Gy), concomitant to weekly cisplatin (30 mg/m2).


RESULTS
Thirty-five patients were enrolled: over 70% had unresectable disease with bulky lesions. Grade 3-4 neutropenia developed in 14% and G3 mucositis in 23%. Locoregional control was achieved in 51%. Median time to progression and overall survival were 10,7 and 17 months respectively; 2- and 3-year survival rates were 30% and 25% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our induction two-drug regimen followed by chemoradiotherapy with concurrent weekly cisplatin was well tolerated with low acute toxicity and good locoregional control and survival rate.
Barone
C
C
UOA Oncologia Medica, COES, Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni Battista, Torino, Italy. carla.barone@hotmail.it
Grillo
R
R
Dongiovanni
D
D
Birocco
N
N
Rampino
M
M
Redda
M G Ruo
MG
Garibaldi
E
E
Munoz
F
F
Pecorari
G
G
Cavalot
A
A
Garzinodemo
P
P
Buffoni
L
L
Ciuffreda
L
L
Ricardi
U
U
Cortesina
G
G
Giordano
C
C
Fasolis
M
M
Berrone
S
S
Bertetto
O
O
Schena
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin