title: Cetuximab with radiotherapy in patients with loco-regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck unsuitable or ineligible for concurrent platinum-based chemo-radiotherapy: Ready for routine clinical practice?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report outcomes of cetuximab concurrent with radiotherapy in advanced head-neck cancer unsuitable for platinum-based chemo-radiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review of 37 patients treated with cetuximab and radiotherapy at a comprehensive cancer centre.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median age of study cohort was 59 years. Thirty four (92%) patients had advanced stage disease (stage III-IV). Reasons for ineligibility for platinum included impaired creatinine-clearance, old age, and/or co-morbidities. Thirty-two (86%) patients completed planned radiotherapy without interruption; 29 (80%) patients received ≥6 cycles of cetuximab. Fifteen patients (40.5%) developed ≥grade 3 dermatitis; 9 patients (25%) experienced ≥grade 3 mucositis. At a median follow-up of 16 months, the 2-year loco-regional control, disease-free survival, and overall survival was 35.5%, 29.5%, and 44.4% respectively. Stage grouping and severe dermatitis were significant predictors of outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cetuximab concurrent with radiotherapy is a reasonable alternative in advanced head-neck cancer patients with acceptable compliance and outcomes, but higher skin toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Ernest Borges Marg, Parel, Mumbai, India. agarwaljp@tmc.gov.in
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalyani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Budrukkar
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Laskar
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Murthy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Narohna
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaturvedi
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: D'cruz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002945:Cisplatin