Publication
Title
Weekly docetaxel in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Author
Abstract
Background: Single-agent docetaxel, administered as a 3-weekly infusion has encouraging clinical activity against squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Weekly administration of docetaxel is feasible and showed a favorable toxicity profile in phase I studies. We studied a weekly docetaxel regimen in heavily pretreated patients with head and neck cancer. Patients and Methods: A total of 30 patients with proven metastatic or recurrent SCCHN were treated with docetaxel 36 mg/m2 weekly for 6 weeks in an 8-week schedule. Dexamethasone 20 mg or methylprednisolone 32 mg was administered 12 and 3 hours before docetaxel. No prophylactic antibiotics or growth factors were given. The primary end point was objective response rate and the secondary end points included time to progression and overall survival. Results: Patients received a median of 6 administrations (range, 1-27). A partial response was documented in 2 patients (6.7%). The disease control rate defined the percentage of patients with responding or stable disease was 33.3%. The median progression-free survival was 7.4 weeks (95% confidence interval, 5.5-9.3 weeks) and the median overall survival was 17.9 weeks (95% confidence interval, 10.1-25.6 weeks). There were no episodes of grade 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, or nonhematological toxicity. Conclusions: Weekly docetaxel at a dose of 36 mg/m2 has a mild to moderate toxicity profile in SCCHN patients. However, the response rate in predominantly pretreated patients is low and the overall survival is short.
Language
English
Source (journal)
American journal of clinical oncology. - New York
Publication
New York : 2011
ISSN
0277-3732
DOI
10.1097/COC.0B013E3181EC5F16
Volume/pages
34 :5 (2011) , p. 472-477
ISI
000295161600006
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 13.12.2011
Last edited 15.11.2022
To cite this reference