Platinum rechallenge in recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after primary chemoradiation

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate platinum rechallenge efficacy and tolerance in patients presenting recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after platinum-based chemoradiation.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively included all patients treated from 2007 to 2016 by platinum-based polychemotherapy for recurrence of HNSCC previously treated by primary or postsurgical platinum-based chemoradiation. The primary end-point was disease control rate (DCR) on platinum rechallenge.

Results: Forty-five patients were included. Median disease-free interval (DFI) after chemoradiation was 5.7 months. DCR on platinum rechallenge was 40%. Progression-free survival at recurrence was 3.7 months and overall survival 5.0 months. DCR in patients with recurrence within 6 months of chemoradiotherapy was 47.8%. DFI>4.5 months was associated with better DCR: 28.5% versus 54.8%; P=0.0311.

Conclusion: Platinum rechallenge provided good DCR in recurrent HNSCC after chemoradiation.

Keywords: Carboplatin; Cisplatin; Head and neck cancer; Recurrence.