Background/aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of carboplatin/docetaxel combination therapy in patients with locally advanced and/or recurrent/metastatic (LA/RM) salivary gland carcinoma (SGC).
Materials and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 24 patients that included six patients with AR-positive salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) after progressive disease treated with combined androgen blockade (CAB). Carboplatin (AUC5) and docetaxel (70 mg/m2) were administered for six courses every three weeks.
Results: The overall response rate was 42%, the median progression-free survival was 8.4 months, and the median overall survival was 26.4 months. Among the six patients with CAB-resistant SDC, two achieved a partial response and two long-term stable disease. Grade 3/4 neutropenia and anemia were observed in 20-30% of the patients; all adverse events were manageable.
Conclusion: Carboplatin/docetaxel combination therapy may be a chemotherapeutic option for patients with LA/RM SGC, and a valuable second-line chemotherapy for CAB-resistant, AR-positive SDC.
Keywords: Salivary gland carcinoma; androgen receptor; carboplatin; docetaxel; human epithelial growth factor receptor 2; salivary duct carcinoma.
Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.