Comparison of every 3 week cisplatin or weekly cetuximab with concurrent radiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
Cisplatin dosed every 3 weeks (CIS) or weekly cetuximab (CTX) concurrent with radiotherapy are standards of care for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNC). Retrospective comparisons of CIS and CTX have offered mixed conclusions. We compared outcomes between CIS and CTX in this patient population.


METHODS
Between January 2006 and December 2011, we identified 279 patients who underwent definitive radiotherapy and concurrent systemic therapy for LAHNC. The median age difference between the CIS and CTX groups was relatively small (58 vs. 62 years, respectively) and CIS patients had a slightly higher rate of N2 disease than CTX patients (74% vs. 61%, respectively).


RESULTS
Median follow-up was 27 months. Systemic therapy consisted of CIS in 241 (86.4%) and CTX in 38 (13.6%). Actuarial locoregional control of the CIS and CTX groups at 2 years were 91% and 90% (p=0.74), respectively. Actuarial 2 year distant metastasis rates between the groups were 8% and 12%, respectively (p=0.55), and actuarial 2 year overall survival between the groups were 87% and 89%, respectively (p=0.47).


CONCLUSIONS
We found no difference in locoregional control, distant metastasis rate, or overall survival between patients treated with concurrent CIS or CTX.
Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.
Tobin J
TJ
Strom
Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.
Andy M
AM
Trotti
Department of Senior Adult Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.
Julie
J
Kish
Department of Head and Neck and Endocrine Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.
Jeffery S
JS
Russell
Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.
Nikhil G
NG
Rao
Department of Head and Neck and Endocrine Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.
Judith
J
McCaffrey
Department of Head and Neck and Endocrine Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.
Tapan A
TA
Padhya
Department of Head and Neck and Endocrine Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.
Kristen J
KJ
Otto
Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States. Electronic address: Jimmy.Caudell@moffitt.org.
Jimmy J
JJ
Caudell
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002945:Cisplatin
Cetuximab; Cisplatin; HPV; LAHNC; Radiation