Korean J Med.  2007 Oct;73(4):415-422.

Induction chemotherapy in patients with locally-advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: docetaxel and cisplatin

• Choi YJ
• Shin HJ
• Chung JS
• Cho GJ
• Lee BJ
• Wang SG

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This prospective study was conducted to assess the efficacy and toxicity of induction chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin for patients with previously untreated, locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).
METHODS
Forty four patients received 120 courses of treatment with docetaxel (70 mg/m2 in a 1-hour infusion) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2 in a 1-hour infusion), repeated every 3 weeks. Responsive patients (complete response: CR, or partial response: PR) received one more course of chemotherapy before undergoing local radiotherapy.
RESULTS
All 44 patients were assessable for response and toxicity analysis. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia, which occurred in 23 patients. Four cases of febrile neutropenia were noted. The overall response rate was 90% (CR 45% & PR 45%). The four year probability of time to treatment failure was 56.3+/-10.2%. The four year estimated overall survival rates were 87.4+/-6.9%.
CONCLUSIONS
Docetaxel and cisplatin induction chemotherapy shows considerable CR, with an acceptable toxicity profile in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Keyword

Docetaxel; Cisplatin; Head and neck cancer; Induction chemotherapy

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Cisplatin*
Drug Therapy
Febrile Neutropenia
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Head*
Humans
Induction Chemotherapy*
Neck*
Neutropenia
Prospective Studies
Radiotherapy
Survival Rate
Time-to-Treatment
Cisplatin