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Toxicity of concomitant cetuximab and radiotherapy with or without initial taxane‐based induction chemotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Levy Antonin,
De Felice Francesca,
Bellefqih Sara,
Guigay Joël,
Deutsch Eric,
Nguyen France,
Blanchard Pierre,
Tao Yungan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.24125
Subject(s) - taxane , cetuximab , medicine , induction chemotherapy , rash , oncology , head and neck cancer , tolerability , mucositis , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , chemotherapy , population , radiation therapy , cancer , adverse effect , colorectal cancer , breast cancer , environmental health
Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tolerability of concurrent radiotherapy and cetuximab (bioradiotherapy [BRT]) after taxane‐based induction chemotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods One hundred four patients with HNSCC received BRT with (29%) or without (71%) prior taxane‐based induction chemotherapy. Results Radiodermatitis (97%) and skin rash (65%) occurred frequently, but there was no difference of occurrence or the grade of the rash observed in the 2 populations. However, patients receiving taxane‐based induction chemotherapy had a less severe rash as compared with patients without induction chemotherapy. Mucositis and dysphagia were frequent and comparable in the 2 groups. The occurrence of a skin rash (at any grade) did not predict an increased overall survival (OS) in the overall population, but it was associated with an improved 3‐year OS in patients receiving taxane‐based induction chemotherapy. OS was not influenced by the skin rash grade in the overall population of the 2 treatment subgroups. Conclusion Taxane‐based induction chemotherapy did not increase the rate of cetuximab‐related toxicities. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38 : E905–E910, 2016