Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin for locally advanced head and neck cancer: Long-term follow-up of a Brown University Oncology Group Phase II Study (HN-53)

Head Neck. 2008 Mar;30(3):289-96. doi: 10.1002/hed.20700.

Abstract

Background: A phase II study was conducted using concurrent paclitaxel, carboplatin, and external beam radiotherapy (RT) in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.

Methods: Forty-three patients (stage III, n = 12; stage IV, n = 31) were treated with 8 cycles of weekly paclitaxel (60 mg/m(2)), carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] = 1), and RT (1.8 Gy daily; total dose, 66-72 Gy). Patients with initially palpable lymph nodes underwent neck dissection.

Results: The overall clinical response rate was 91% (65% complete, 26% partial). Severe mucositis occurred in 37 (90%) patients, necessitating hospitalization in 13 (31%) patients. With a median follow-up of 49 months, the locoregional and distant failure rates were 26% and 21%, respectively.

Conclusions: Concurrent paclitaxel, carboplatin, and RT for advanced head and neck cancer results in high complete response rates. Long-term follow-up has revealed the curative potential of this regimen, though the doses used resulted in unacceptable toxicity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage
  • Combined Modality Therapy / adverse effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucositis / etiology
  • Neck Dissection
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / mortality
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Carboplatin
  • Paclitaxel