Gemcitabine versus cisplatin concurrent with radiation therapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5557-5557
Author(s):  
Magda Mostafa ◽  
Hesham Atif ◽  
Mahmoud Fawzy ◽  
Amr Yehia Sakr ◽  
Ahmed Alashwah

5557 Background: In locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) weekly cisplatin concurrent with radiation therapy is the standared treatment. However some patients cannot tolerate cisplatin. So we conduct a prospective randomized trial comparing cisplatin versus gemcitabine. Methods: This trial was done in Kasr El-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology and Radiation therapy (NEMROCK), during the period from March 2010 till June 2011. Sixty patients with locally advanced HNSCC were randomized to receive Cisplatin (30 mg/m2) weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (30 patients) or Gemcitabine (50 mg/m2) weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (30 patients) both concomitant with radiation therapy reaching a dose of 70 Gy over 7 weeks. Primary end points include response rate, progression free survival and toxicity. Toxicities were graded according to NCI-CTCAE v3.0. Results: Thewhole study group included 48 (80%) males and 12 (20%) females. Mean age was 47.9 (± 6.5) years (range 26-61). Both arms were comparable regarding their age, gender, performance status and stage. There were 9 (30%) CR, 7 (23.3%) PR, 2 (6.7%) SD and 12 (40%) PD in cisplatin arm versus 12 (40%) CR, 4 (13.3%) PR, 1 (3.3%) SD and 11 (36.7%) PD in gemcitabine arm. Median progression free survival (PFS) in cisplatin arm was 9 months versus 11months in gemcitabine arm with a hazard ratio of 0.08 (95% CI 0.005 – 1.47). We did not reach median overall survival. Radiotherapy induced skin toxicity (slight or patchy atrophy), nausea, vomiting, mucositis, salivary gland affection and weight loss were equally distributed in both arms. Dysphagia and fatigue were markedly higher in gemcitabine arm. While infection and neutropenia were slightly higher in cisplatin arm. Conclusions: Weekly gemcitabine 50mg/m2 concomitant with radiotherapy was found to be of equal efficacy and toxicity comparable with weekly cisplatin in the treatment of locally advanced HNSCC.

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 1458-1464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Branislav Jeremic ◽  
Yuta Shibamoto ◽  
Biljana Milicic ◽  
Nebojsa Nikolic ◽  
Aleksandar Dagovic ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the addition of cisplatin (CDDP) to hyperfractionation (Hfx) radiation therapy (RT) offers an advantage over the same Hfx RT given alone in locally advanced (stages III and IV) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty patients were randomized to receive either Hfx RT alone to a tumor dose of 77 Gy in 70 fractions in 35 treatment days over 7 weeks (group I, n = 65) or the same Hfx RT and concurrent low-dose (6 mg/m2) daily CDDP (group II, n = 65). RESULTS: Hfx RT/chemotherapy offered significantly higher survival rates than Hfx RT alone (68% v 49% at 2 years and 46% v 25% at 5 years; P = .0075). It also offered higher progression-free survival (46% v 25% at 5 years; P = .0068), higher locoregional progression-free survival (LRPFS) (50% v 36% at 5 years; P = .041), and higher distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (86% v 57% at 5 years; P = .0013). However, there was no difference between the two treatment groups in the incidence of either acute or late high-grade RT-induced toxicity. Hematologic high-grade toxicity was more frequent in group II patients. CONCLUSION: As compared with Hfx RT alone, Hfx RT and concurrent low-dose daily CDDP offered a survival advantage, as well as improved LRPFS and DMFS.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6053-6053
Author(s):  
A. Sukari ◽  
H. Mulrenan ◽  
K. Almhanna ◽  
Z. Kafri ◽  
H. Kim ◽  
...  

6053 Background: In advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the five-year survival rate is less than 40%. Although the efficacy and tolerability of continuous IV 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) therapy has been established in HNSCC, the feasibility and tolerability of long-term therapy of oral capecitabine has not been established in HNSCC. Our primary objective is to assess the feasibility of treating patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) with adjuvant Capecitabine after undergone definitive treatment. The secondary objectives are to estimate time to recurrence, local-regional control and survival rates along with incidence of second primary tumors. Methods: Eligible patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced HNSCC received capecitabine 1,000 mg orally once daily for one year, after undergone definitive treatment. Patients’ compliance with oral capecitabine as will as the side effects profile was evaluated on monthly basis over the first 12 months. Feasibility, survival, progression and progression free survival were measured over 36 months. Results: Thirty five patients were enrolled in the study. 17 patients had stage IV b, 7 had stage III, and 5 had unknown primary HNSCC. All but one took at least 60% of dispensed tablets. Twenty six patients completed at least 7 months of capecitabine. Sixteen patients completed at least 10 month of capecitabine. Two years overall survival rate was 97%. Three years progression free survival was 86%. Conclusions: Adjuvant capecitabine in locally advanced HNSCC is a feasible approach with minimum side effects. A favorable 3-year progression-free survival was found as compare to historical results. We recommend a randomized phase III trail to examine the effect of one year of adjuvant capecitabine versus placebo in locally advanced HNSCC after definitive treatment. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


Head & Neck ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki A. Papadimitrakopoulou ◽  
Steven J. Frank ◽  
Ezra W. Cohen ◽  
Fred R. Hirsch ◽  
Jeffrey N. Myers ◽  
...  

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