A randomized phase II study of cetuximab every 2 weeks at either 500 or 750 mg/m2 for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer.

Abstract

Cetuximab is typically administered on a weekly schedule for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). This study explores cetuximab administered every 2 weeks (q2w). In this multicenter randomized prospective phase II study, eligible patients (≤2 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens for recurrent or metastatic disease; ECOG performance status ≤2) were randomized to receive cetuximab q2w at 500 mg/m(2) (Group A) or 750 mg/m(2) (Group B). The primary end point was response rate (RECIST 1.0). Sixty-one patients were enrolled: 35 in Group A and 26 in Group B, which was closed early for lack of efficacy. Confirmed partial response rates were 11% for Group A (4/35) and 8% for Group B (2/26) according to intention to treat analysis. Partial responses occurred only among patients whose primary tumors were in the oral cavity or larynx. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) were similar for both groups (PFS, 2.2 and 2.0 months; OS, 7.0 and 9.4 months; Groups A and B, respectively). The most common cetuximab-related adverse events (all grades) among treated subjects included rash, fatigue, and hypomagnesemia. Cetuximab, 500 mg/m(2), q2w achieves similar efficacy as conventional dosing for patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. Escalating the dose to 750 mg/m(2) q2w offers no obvious therapeutic advantage.

• Authors: Matthew G Fury, Eric Sherman, Donna Lisa, Neeraj Agarwal, Kenneth Algazy, Bruce Brockstein, Corey Langer, Dean Lim, Ranee Mehra, Sandeep K Rajan, Susan Korte, Brynna Lipson, Furhan Yunus, Tawee Tanvetyanon, Stephanie Smith-Marrone, Kenneth Ng, Han Xiao, Sofia Haque, David G Pfister
• Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN (J Natl Compr Canc Netw) Vol. 10 Issue 11 Pg. 1391-8 (Nov 01 2012) ISSN: 1540-1413 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23138167 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Cetuximab

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (drug therapy, mortality, secondary)
• Cetuximab
• Disease-Free Survival
• Female
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (drug therapy, mortality, pathology)
• Humans
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome