Phase II evaluation of cetuximab (C225) combined with induction paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by C225, paclitaxel, carboplatin, and radiation for stage III/IV operable squamous cancer of the head and neck (ECOG, E2303)

6015 Introduction: Neoadjuvant C225 with induction chemotherapy and chemo-radiation was studied in stage III/IV head and neck squamous cancer with primary and secondary objectives of 1year event- free survival, pathologic complete response rate at the primary site (PS) (determined by mandatory biopsy week 8) and toxicity. Protocol Design: Operable patients (pts) staged by triple endoscopy, CT/MRI, had gastrostomy, signed IRB approved consent and received induction chemotherapy with weekly C225 250 mg/m2, P 90 mg/m2, C (AUC=2). Restaging PS biopsy was done at week 8, if there was a clinical response. Pts with positive biopsy (or persistent tumor) at PS had restaging biopsy at week 14 after chemo radiation (C225 250 mg/m2, P 30 mg/m2, C(AUC=1) and 50 Gy). If PS Bx was negative patients had completion RT (68–72 Gy, plus continued C225, P,C). If PS Bx was positive at 14 weeks salvage surgery was required. Results: 74 patients were enrolled (67 are evaluable). T and N stage were T1/2 (11%/27%), T ¾ (47%/14%); N O/N1 (11%/23 %), N 2/3 (50%/16%). Site: tonsil 30%, oral cavity/tongue 24%, Post pharynx (BOT) 42%, Larynx 34%; performance status 0/1 (61% / 39%). PS re biopsy was done at week 8 in 40 patients; no residual tumor was detected in 26 (65%). Restaging biopsy after induction and chemo radiation was done at week 14 in 28 pts (14 with persistent tumor and 14 with previous positive biopsy) and was negative in all 28 patients. All 54 patients with negative PS biopsy had completion RT. Data on disease status are incomplete. Post treatment toxicity (Gr 3/4) included acneiform rash (12%), leukopenia/neutropenia 32%/24%, dysphagia (29%), and stomatitis (82%). One grade 5 AE occurred (death from encephalopathy). Conclusion: Neoadjuvant induction C225, plus chemotherapy followed by C225 plus chemo-radiation elicited a complete pathologic response at the primary site, by restaging biopsy (65%) with induction alone, and 100% among sampled patients after chemo RT 50Gy. These preliminary results suggest a high pathologic complete response rate to induction chemotherapy plus cetuximab followed by chemo radiation plus cetuximab. Progression and survival data are not yet mature. No significant financial relationships to disclose.