• 4/28/2005
  • Memphis, TN
  • Hehr, T. et al.
  • International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics. 2005; 61: 1423-1431

Reported by Cancer Consultants Oncology Resource Center
(professional.cancerconsultants.com)

Researchers from Germany have developed a tolerable regimen of alternated docetaxel (Taxotere®)-cisplatin (Platinol®) for the re-treatment of patients with recurrent head and neck cancer. The details of this report appeared in the April 1, 2005 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics .

Re-irradiation of patients who have failed radiation therapy for head and neck cancer can be associated with severe complications and high-doses can rarely be achieved. The study evaluated a regimen where chemotherapy was delivered on days 1-3 and radiation therapy on days 8-12 for a total of 3 cycles. Chemotherapy was Taxotere® and Platinol® and total radiation dose was 40 Gy. This trial included 27 patients with inoperable, recurrent head and neck cancer who had received prior radiation therapy. The overall response rate was 80%. The average time to cancer progression at or near the site of cancer was 10 months, the overall average duration of survival was 10 months, and survival at 3 years was 18%. Full doses of radiation therapy were delivered to 81% of patients, and between 73% and 83% of patients received full doses of the chemotherapy agents. The main side effects were leucopenia and mucositis.

The researchers concluded that alternating chemotherapy and radiation therapy may improve tolerability of therapy in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer, potentially improving long-term outcomes in a small fraction of patients.

Comments: This study is of interest because relatively large doses of repeat radiation were apparently well tolerated.

Reference:
Hehr T, Classen J, Belka C, et al. Reirradiation alternating with docetaxel and cisplatin in inoperable recurrence of head-and-neck cancer: A prospective phase I/II trial. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics. 2005; 61: 1423-1431.