Concurrent intra-arterial carboplatin administration and radiation therapy for the treatment of advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: short term results.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the survival, efficacy and safety of a modified RADPLAT-like protocol using carboplatin instead of cisplatin.


METHODS
Fifty-six patients with primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma received 4 cycles of intra-arterial carboplatin (350 mg/m2 per cycle every 2 weeks), with concurrent three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy.


RESULTS
Two major and 4 minor complications were observed. Forty-five of the 56 patients (80%) completed the protocol, while 11 (20%) patients had to discontinue the intra-arterial infusions due to the occurrence of severe haematological toxicity, but were able to complete radiotherapy. Forty-four (98%) of the 45 patients who completed the protocol and 10 (91%) of the 11 who did not, were free of disease at the end of the treatment, for a comprehensive 96% of CR overall. After a median 23.55 months (range: 2 to 58 months) of follow-up, 40 patients (71%) are alive and disease-free, 1 (2%) is alive but affected by disease and 15 (27%) have died of the disease or other causes.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-arterial carboplatin administration with concurrent three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy seems to be a promising alternative to RADPLAT in the treatment of advanced head and neck tumours. Haematological and non-haematological toxicities are virtually similar, but carboplatin has the advantage in that it is not nephrotoxic and can be used at very high doses without any significant increase in the extent of side effects.
Bertino
Giulia
G
Department of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S, Matteo Foundation, P.le Golgi 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy. giulia.bertino@tin.it
Occhini
Antonio
A
Falco
Carlo Emilio
CE
Porta
Camillo
C
Corbella
Franco
F
Colombo
Sara
S
Balcet
Vittoria
V
Morbini
Patrizia
P
Zappoli
Federico
F
Azzaretti
Andrea
A
Rodolico
Giuseppe
G
Tinelli
Carmine
C
Benazzo
Marco
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016190:Carboplatin