A retrospective study of induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatinum, and 5-fluorouracil followed by concurrent radiotherapy with cetuximab in locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The objective was to study the results of induction chemotherapy followed by external beam radiation therapy with concurrent cetuximab in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer.

METHODS:

Seventeen patients with stage III or IV squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck who received docetaxel, cisplatinum, and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiation therapy with concurrent cetuximab were retrospectively analyzed. All radiation was delivered with image-guided intensity-modulated radiation treatments. Primary end points analyzed were local control and overall survival.

RESULTS:

With a median follow-up of 17 months, the approximate 2-year local control was 85%, with overall survival being 91%. At time of last follow-up, only 1 death was observed, with the cause of death unknown. Two local failures were observed, and the patients were under active management for their recurrences at time of last follow-up. No distant metastatic failures were noted among the patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatinum, and 5-fluorouracil followed by concurrent radiation with cetuximab provides for excellent locoregional control of disease. Future prospective studies can better establish the efficacy of this treatment regimen to current favored protocols.

• Authors: Brian Kim, Robert O Dillman, Peter Chen, Russell Hafer, Craig Cox, Neil Barth, R Matthew Carroll, Louis VanderMolen, Minh Nguyen, JinChu Huang, Annamarie Minion, Marianne Plunkett, Ralph Mackintosh
• Journal: American journal of otolaryngology (Am J Otolaryngol) 2012 Jan-Feb Vol. 33 Issue 1 Pg. 93-7 ISSN: 1532-818X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21524816 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Taxoids
• Docetaxel
• Cetuximab
• Cisplatin
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Aged
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Cetuximab
• Cisplatin (administration & dosage)
• Docetaxel
• Female
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology, radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Induction Chemotherapy (methods)
• Male
• Neoplasm Staging
• Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated
• Retrospective Studies
• Taxoids (administration & dosage)
• Treatment Outcome