title: Weekly docetaxel in patients with platinum-refractory metastatic or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu Shinchon-dong 134, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung Chul
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Ki Chang
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Keum
authors.forename: Sang Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Hye Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Young Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Se Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eun Chang
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Joo Hang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel