Fixed-dose every-other-week capecitabine and oxaliplatin for refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE
To maximize the palliative benefits of capecitabine and oxaliplatin for patients with refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).


METHODS
Patients received fixed-dose capecitabine (1500 mg orally twice a day) on days 1 to 7 and oxaliplatin (85 mg/m) days 1 and 14.


RESULTS
Fifteen patients with refractory SCCHN were enrolled. All patients had relapsed after surgery and had failed radiation therapy. Eighty-seven percent (13) had progressed after chemotherapy. The most common toxicities were grades 1 or 2 fatigue and anemia. There was a 13% partial response rate and 33% stable disease rate for a clinical benefit of 46% by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
Fixed-dose capecitabine and oxaliplatin combination on an every-other-week schedule showed activity in refractory SCCHN. The simplicity and toxicity profile of this regimen compares favorably with other commonly used chemotherapies and should be tested in larger studies.
Rabinowits
Guilherme
G
Department of Medicine, J.G. Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA. g0rabi01@louisville.edu
Bhupalam
Leela
L
Miller
Donald M
DM
Kloecker
Goetz H
GH
Laber
Damian A
DA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D010166:Palliative Care; D010865:Pilot Projects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil