title: Induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy with cetuximab for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy and feasibility of induction chemotherapy (ICT) with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy and cetuximab (C) in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine previously untreated patients with local advanced stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) received three courses of ICT consisting of docetaxel 75mg/m(2) day 1, cisplatin 75mg/m(2) day 1 and infusional 5-fluorouracil 750mg/m(2)/day on days 1-5 followed by radiotherapy plus C at 250mg/m(2)/week (after an initial loading dose of 400mg/m(2)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After completion of ICT 44 of 49 patients received radiotherapy plus C. Three months after therapy completion tumour response was observed in 33 patients and after two years, 25 patients were in complete remission (CR). The most common grade 4 toxicity during the whole treatment period was dermatitis (30%), followed by mucositis (27%) and neutropenia (17%) without fever. One toxic related death was observed during ICT. Two-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 59% and two-year overall survival (OS) rate was 63%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concurrent radiotherapy plus C after three courses of ICT was feasible and was associated with promising CR, PFS and OS rates. Further optimisation of dose and sequence is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Medical Dept. Int. Med. 3, Hematology and Oncology, Hanusch-Krankenhaus, Vienna, Austria. felix.keil@wgkk.at
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Keil
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Selzer
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berghold
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reinisch
authors.forename: Karin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kapp
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Vries
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Greil
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bachtiary
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tinchon
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Anderhuber
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burian
authors.forename: Anne-Katrin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kasparek
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Elsäßer
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kainz
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riedl
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kopp
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kornek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D060828:Induction Chemotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil