Cetuximab and radiation for primary and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) in the elderly and multi-morbid patient: a single-centre experience.
BACKGROUND
Chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer (SCCHN) is challenging in elderly, multi-morbid patients. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with cetuximab provides an option to enhance efficacy of radiotherapy without increased toxicity. We present a single-centre experience of RIT these patients.


METHODS
Toxicity and outcome was retrospectively analysed in patients treated with radiotherapy and cetuximab between 2006 and 2009. Treatment response was analysed at first follow-up, outcome was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analyses.


RESULTS
73 patients with primary/recurrent SCCHN were treated (re-irradiation: 22 patients). CTC grade 3 allergic reactions occurred in 4 patients, grade 3 acneiforme skin reactions leading to discontinuation of cetuximab in 3 patients.Overall response rate was 59,4%, median locoregional and overall progression-free survival (PFS) was 18 and 15 months, overall survival (OS) 18 months.


CONCLUSIONS
RIT is a feasible treatment option for elderly and multi-morbid patients with promising therapeutic activity. Long-term disease control can also be achieved in patients receiving RIT for re-irradiation.
Dept of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Germany. alexandra.jensen@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Alexandra D
AD
Jensen
Zazie P
ZP
Bergmann
Helena
H
Garcia-Huttenlocher
Kolja
K
Freier
Jürgen
J
Debus
Marc W
MW
Münter
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; D000068818:Cetuximab; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016499:Radioimmunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068818:Cetuximab