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Title: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study of the Tolerance of Induction Chemotherapy With Docetaxel, Cisplatin, and 5-Fluorouracil Followed by Radiotherapy With Concomitant Cetuximab in 46 Cases of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Journal Article · · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5];  [6];  [7];  [8];  [9];  [1]
  1. Service d'ORL, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Lyon Sud, Pierre-Benite (France)
  2. Direction des Systemes d'Information et Informatique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon (France)
  3. Service de radiotherapie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Lyon Sud, Pierre-Benite (France)
  4. Service de radiotherapie, Centre Leon Berard, Lyon (France)
  5. Service de radiotherapie, Clinique des Ormeaux, Le Havre (France)
  6. Service de biostatistique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon (France)
  7. Service d'oncologie medicale, Centre Leon Berard, Lyon (France)
  8. Service d'oncologie medicale, Hopital Edouard Herriot, Lyon (France)
  9. Service d'ORL, Hopital Edouard Herriot, Lyon (France)

Purpose: To investigate, in a multicenter study, the tolerance of induction chemotherapy (ICT) and external radiotherapy (ERT) with concomitant cetuximab in the treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Patients and Methods: Clinical data from 46 patients with Stage III or IV nonmetastatic SCCHN who received docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil as ICT, followed by ERT with concomitant cetuximab, were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical safety (weight, allergy, mucositis, and dermatitis) and paraclinical safety (levels of hemoglobin, polynuclear neutrophils, and creatinine clearance) were studied. The primary objective was the proportion of patients who completed the protocol. Results: The percentage of patients completing ICT was 73.9%, ERT 93.5%, and cetuximab 69.6%. Induction chemotherapy was better tolerated than that previously reported. The rates of temporary suspensions of radiation (39.1%, mean duration of 13 days) and hospitalization (26.1%) during ERT with concomitant cetuximab were high. Weight loss during treatment (21.4% of patients lost >10% of their body weight), radiodermatitis, and radiomucositis were the main causes of temporary suspension of treatment, although Grade 4 dermatitis was not experienced. There were no allergic reactions to cetuximab. Conclusion: The completed protocol rate for SCCHN patients receiving ICT and ERT with concomitant cetuximab is high and the toxicity acceptable. Future improvements to protocol will be possible through early action and systematic implementation of nutritional support coupled with antibiotic treatment upon the first signs of radiodermatitis. These data could be useful for prospective studies on the safety and efficacy of this protocol.

OSTI ID:
21372290
Journal Information:
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 77, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2009.04.066; PII: S0360-3016(09)00664-6; Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; ISSN 0360-3016
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English