Weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Onkologie. 2003 Dec;26(6):568-72. doi: 10.1159/000074153.

Abstract

Background: The combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin is active in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). However, considerable toxicity develops with 3-weekly drug administration. Treatment on a weekly basis may allow for a higher dose intensity with less adverse effects.

Patients and methods: Enrolled in this study were 31 patients with locally advanced, metastatic or relapsed SCCHN, most of them pretreated. They received weekly i.v. infusions of 80 mg/m(2) paclitaxel over 1 h combined with carboplatin at an area under the concentration time curve of 2 mg/ml/min over 30 min.

Results: The overall response rate was 52% with 1 complete response and 16 partial responses. Median progression-free survival was 5.4 months, median overall survival 12.8 months. Grade 3/4 hematologic adverse events occurred in 7 patients and grade 3 peripheral neuropathy in one. 10 patients required dose reduction or treatment delay due to neutropenia, thrombocytopenia or neuropathy.

Conclusions: Weekly administration of paclitaxel and carboplatin appears to be safe and efficacious in patients with advanced, metastatic or recurrent SCCHN.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage*
  • Carboplatin / adverse effects
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / mortality
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / radiotherapy
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage*
  • Paclitaxel / adverse effects
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Carboplatin
  • Paclitaxel