Weekly docetaxel in patients with platinum-refractory metastatic or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
BACKGROUND
The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of weekly docetaxel in patients with platinum-refractory recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).


METHODS
Patients fulfilling the following criteria were enrolled: histologically confirmed SCCHN; documented progressive disease (PD) after platinum-based treatment; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0-2; measurable disease; not candidates for local therapy. Docetaxel (35 mg/m(2)) was administered for 3 weeks, every 4 weeks for a maximum of 6 cycles.


RESULTS
A total of 23 patients were treated. All patients were assessable for toxicity and response. The overall response rate was 13.0% (3/23) and disease control rate was 34.7% (8/23). Median progression-free and overall survival (OS) was 9 (95% CI, 7.6-10.4 weeks) and 29 weeks (95% CI, 10.8-47.1 weeks), respectively. Most common hematological toxicities were grade 1-2 anemia (6/23, 26.1%) and nonhematological toxicities were mild and manageable. There was no treatment-related death.


CONCLUSIONS
Weekly docetaxel regimen had good clinical activity with an acceptable toxicity in patients with platinum-refractory SCCHN.
Cho
Byoung Chul
BC
Yonsei Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu Shinchon-dong 134, Seoul, Korea.
Keum
Ki Chang
KC
Shin
Sang Joon
SJ
Choi
Hye Jin
HJ
Lee
Young Joo
YJ
Kim
Se Hun
SH
Choi
Eun Chang
EC
Kim
Joo Hang
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D015996:Survival Rate; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel