Induction chemotherapy with cetuximab, carboplatin and paclitaxel for the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

  • Authors:
    • Jessica Bauman
    • Corey Langer
    • Harry Quon
    • Kenneth Algazy
    • Alexander Lin
    • Arati Desai
    • Faith Mutale
    • Jared Weiss
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 5, 2013     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.948
  • Pages: 1247-1253
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Abstract

Although controversy exists in the management of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA-SCCHN), clinicians often use induction chemotherapy for treatment of the most advanced cases. One promising regimen combines weekly cetuximab (400 mg/m2 loading dose followed by 250 mg/m2) with carboplatin (AUC of 2) and paclitaxel (90 mg/m2). We retrospectively evaluated patients treated with this regimen prior to definitive chemoradiation or surgery between May 2008 and December 2011. The primary endpoint used for this retrospective analysis was feasibility. Thirty consecutive, unselected patients were included. Median follow-up was 13.7 months (range, 5.0-38.7 months). All but one patient had stage IV SCCHN. Dose intensity was high for carboplatin (92%), paclitaxel (93%) and cetuximab (85%). Grade 3-4 toxicities occurred in <7% of the study population and were limited to rash, neutropenia and infusion reactions. Response rate (RR) to induction chemotherapy was 97% (30% complete response, 67% partial response). All patients completed subsequent chemoradiotherapy or surgery. Nineteen patients (63%) demonstrated a complete response and 11 patients (37%) demonstrated a partial response. Median overall survival and progression-free survival data are not yet mature. The RR to therapy in our off-protocol experience is at least comparable to that observed in the two phase II studies of this regimen and appears superior to that observed with docetaxel, cisplatin and fluorouracil (TPF).
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April 2013
Volume 5 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Bauman J, Langer C, Quon H, Algazy K, Lin A, Desai A, Mutale F and Weiss J: Induction chemotherapy with cetuximab, carboplatin and paclitaxel for the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Exp Ther Med 5: 1247-1253, 2013
APA
Bauman, J., Langer, C., Quon, H., Algazy, K., Lin, A., Desai, A. ... Weiss, J. (2013). Induction chemotherapy with cetuximab, carboplatin and paclitaxel for the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 5, 1247-1253. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.948
MLA
Bauman, J., Langer, C., Quon, H., Algazy, K., Lin, A., Desai, A., Mutale, F., Weiss, J."Induction chemotherapy with cetuximab, carboplatin and paclitaxel for the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 5.4 (2013): 1247-1253.
Chicago
Bauman, J., Langer, C., Quon, H., Algazy, K., Lin, A., Desai, A., Mutale, F., Weiss, J."Induction chemotherapy with cetuximab, carboplatin and paclitaxel for the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 5, no. 4 (2013): 1247-1253. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.948