Toxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cetuximab for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Med Oncol. 2014 Sep;31(9):170. doi: 10.1007/s12032-014-0170-x. Epub 2014 Aug 15.

Abstract

Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor can be found in 80 % of patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and is associated with shorter survival. In this work, we evaluated the feasibility of adding cetuximab to concurrent cisplatin and radiotherapy (RT) in locoregionally advanced NPC. Twenty-eight patients with locoregionally advanced NPC who received the combination therapy were retrospectively reviewed and short-term efficacy was evaluated. Grade 3-4 oral mucositis occurred in 20 (71.4 %) patients. Grade 3 radiotherapy-related dermatitis occurred in seven patients (25 %). Three patients (14.3 %) had grade 3 and one patient (3.6 %) had grade 4 cetuximab-related acneiform rashes. These grade 3-4 skin and mucosal toxic effects were manageable and reversible. At a median follow-up of 33.4 months (95 % CI 29.2-38.1 months), the 2-year progression-free survival was 89.3 % (95 % CI 76.4-98.1 %). In conclusion, concurrent administration of cetuximab, cisplatin and RT is a feasible strategy against locoregionally advanced NPC. Preliminary survival data compare favorably with historic data and further follow-up is warranted.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma
  • Cetuximab
  • Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects*
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects*
  • Cisplatin / therapeutic use
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Exanthema / chemically induced
  • Exanthema / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Radiotherapy, Conformal / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cetuximab
  • Cisplatin