title: Neo-adjuvant Docetaxel and Cisplatin followed by concurrent Cisplatin with radiation therapy in treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the tolerability, toxicity and efficacy of neo-adjuvant Docetaxel and Cisplatin (TC) followed by concurrent Cisplatin and radiotherapy (RT) in patients with loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients with locally advanced NPC received two cycles of Docetaxel (75 mg/m2 on days 1, and 21) and Cisplatin (75 mg/m2 on days 1, and 21) followed by 7 weeks of Cisplatin (40 mg/m2 weekly) and RT at 70 Gy in 2-Gy per fraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response to neo-adjuvant TC was as follows: 5 patients (36%) and 11 patients (79%) achieved partial remission (PR) in regional nodes and nasopharynx, respectively. Nine patients (64%) and 1 patient (7%) achieved complete remission (CR) in regional nodes and nasopharynx, respectively. At 6 weeks after RT, 12 patients (86%) achieved CR in regional nodes and nasopharynx, and 2 patients (14%) achieved partial response (PR) in regional nodes and nasopharynx. Neo-adjuvant TC was well tolerated. The most common acute toxicity of Cisplatin plus Docetaxel was grade 3-4 leucopenia (57%) and alopecia (43%). The most common acute toxicity of Cisplatin plus RT was grade 3-4 mucositis (64%). At median follow-up of 12 months, one distant and one loco-regional failure occurred. CONCLUSIONS Neo-adjuvant Docetaxel and Cisplatin (TC) followed by concurrent Cisplatin and radiotherapy (RT) in patients with loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) was feasible and resulted in excellent local tumour control with acceptable toxicity profile.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. ehabhas@hotmail.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Galal
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Esmat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D002945:Cisplatin