Cisplatin-based chemotherapy versus cetuximab in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer treatment

Ming-Hung Hu; Ling-Wei Wang; Hsueh-Ju Lu; Pen-Yuan Chu; Shyh-Kuan Tai; Tsung-Lun Lee; Ming-Huang Chen; Muh-Hwa Yang; Peter Mu-Hsin Chang

doi:10.1155/2014/904341

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy versus cetuximab in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer treatment

Biomed Res Int. 2014:2014:904341. doi: 10.1155/2014/904341. Epub 2014 Jul 6.

Authors

Ming-Hung Hu¹, Ling-Wei Wang², Hsueh-Ju Lu³, Pen-Yuan Chu⁴, Shyh-Kuan Tai⁴, Tsung-Lun Lee⁴, Ming-Huang Chen⁵, Muh-Hwa Yang⁶, Peter Mu-Hsin Chang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan ; Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan ; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, No. 362, Zhongzheng Road, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan.
² Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan ; Cancer Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
³ Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan ; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, No. 542, Section 1, Zhongshan Road, Changhua City, Changhua County 500, Taiwan.
⁴ Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan ; Department of Otolaryngology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
⁵ Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan ; Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
⁶ Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan ; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan.

Abstract

Background and purpose: This study aimed to analyze survival, clinical responses, compliance, and adverse effects in locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) patients treated with split-dose cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiation therapy (SD-CCRT) or cetuximab with concurrent radiation therapy (BioRT).

Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 170 LAHNC patients diagnosed between January 1, 2009, and July 31, 2012: 116 received CCRT and 54 received BioRT.

Results: Complete response rates were similar in the SD-CCRT and BioRT groups (63.8% versus 59.3%; P = 0.807), and locoregional relapse rates were 18.1% and 13.0%, respectively (P = 0.400). The 3-year relapse-free survival rate was 65.8% in the SD-CCRT group and 65.5% in the BioRT group, respectively (P = 0.647). The 3-year overall survival rate was 78.5% in the SD-CCRT group and 70.9% in the BioRT group, respectively (P = 0.879). Hematologic side effects were significantly more frequent in the SD-CCRT than in the BioRT group. Mucositis frequency was similar.

Conclusions: Primary SD-CCRT and BioRT both showed good clinical response and survival. Hematologic toxicities were more frequent, but tolerable, in the SD-CCRT group. Both groups showed good compliance.

Publication types

Clinical Trial
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage*
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
Cetuximab
Chemoradiotherapy / adverse effects
Chemoradiotherapy / methods*
Cisplatin / administration & dosage*
Cisplatin / adverse effects
Disease-Free Survival
Female
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / mortality
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / pathology
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / therapy
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mucositis / etiology
Mucositis / mortality
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / administration & dosage*
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / adverse effects
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies
Survival Rate

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Antineoplastic Agents
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
Cetuximab
Cisplatin