title: Phase I trial of oral etoposide in combination with radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - GORTEC 2004-02.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of oral etoposide in combination with radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Phase I, multicenter, open-labelled, non-comparative and dose escalating trial. Patients with locally advanced HNSCC were enrolled onto cohorts of escalating dose of etoposide. Oral etoposide was administered on five consecutive days every week for 7 weeks (7 treatment cycles) in combination with daily radiotherapy (70 Gy /35 fractions). Two dose levels (25 mg/day and 50 mg/day) of etoposide were planned and three to six patients were to be enrolled at each level according to the potential DLTs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients were allocated to two dose levels: 25 mg/day (3) and 50 mg/day (11). Cisplatin was contra-indicated in all the patients included. Only one patient (50 mg/day) presents a grade 4 neutropenia (DLT), no other DLTs were observed. The most frequently adverse events (AEs) were radiomucositis. Two deaths before 3 months of end of treatment were not related to treatment. Seven patients were still alive with a median follow-up of 30 months (12-58 months). Nine patients had a complete response (CR) at 3 months after the radiotherapy; Among the 9 patients, 3 patients had a local relapse; one patient with local and distant relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to only one DLT experienced, it is possible to a dose of 50 mg/day for phase II studies, however this should be considered with caution.
authors: Institute Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France.
authors: Yungan
authors: Y
authors: Tao
authors: Etienne
authors: E
authors: Bardet
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Rosine
authors: Frédéric
authors: F
authors: Rolland
authors: Emmanuelle
authors: E
authors: Bompas
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Daly-Schveitzer
authors: Antoine
authors: A
authors: Lusinchi
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Bourhis
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005047:Etoposide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D005047:Etoposide