Weekly Cetuximab and Paclitaxel for Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background/aim: Head and neck cancers account for 8% of all cancer cases worldwide. However, identifying the optimal treatment for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (R/MHNSCC) has been challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of the outcome of patients with R/MHNSCC who were treated with weekly cetuximab and paclitaxel (Cmab-PTX).

Patients and methods: The records of R/MHNSCC patients who were treated with Cmab-PTX in our institution between June 2013 and September 2017 were collected. We analyzed Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), prognostic factors and adverse events.

Results: The records of 59 patients treated with Cmab-PTX were analyzed. The median PFS was 5.7 months, and the median OS was 11.8 months. Patients who had been administered cetuximab previously had shorter PFS and OS than those who had not.

Conclusion: Cmab-PTX may be considered as a treatment option in head and neck R/MHNSCC patients.

Keywords: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; cetuximab; metastasis; paclitaxel; recurrent.