Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology Advance Access originally published online on October 8, 2007
Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2007 37(10):725-729; doi:10.1093/jjco/hym106
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© 2007 Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research
Feasibility Study of Single Agent Cisplatin and Concurrent Radiotherapy in Japanese Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Preliminary Results
1 Division of Radiation Oncology
2 Division of Digestive Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba
3 Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka
4 Department of Radiology, Shinshu University, School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
For reprints and all correspondence: Sadamoto Zenda, Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan. E-mail: szenda{at}east.ncc.go.jp
Received May 29, 2007; accepted June 23, 2007
Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with the single agent cisplatin (CDDP + RT) has been recognized worldwide as the standard treatment for unresectable locally advanced SCCHN. The objective of this study was to clarify the feasibility of CDDP + RT in Japanese patients.
Patients and methods: Patients with unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were given single daily fractionated radiation (70 Gy at 2 Gy/day) and chemotherapy consisting of a 2 h infusion of CDDP 100 mg/m2 on days 1, 22 and 43. The primary endpoint was the rate of completion of CDDP + RT.
Results: Between November 2005 and January 2007, 20 patients were enrolled, 19 males and one female with a median age of 61.5 years (range 50–74). One patient had recurrent unresectable disease after surgery and the remaining 19 had stage IV disease. No grade 4 hematologic toxicities were observed. The incidence of grade 3 mucositis was 55% and no treatment-related death occurred. Full-dose irradiation was performed in all patients, with a median duration of radiotherapy of 50 days (range 48–54). Although all patients received the first two administrations of CDDP, the third dose was administed in 17 patients (85%). The rate of completion of CDDP + RT was 85% and the dose intensity of CDDP was 28.9 mg/m2/week (relative dose intensity 89%). Overall complete response rate was 50% and the rate of primary complete response was 90%.
Conclusion: Concurrent chemoradiation therapy with the standard dose of CDDP is feasible in Japanese patients. Treatment modification based on racial differences is not necessary.
Key Words: cisplatin • squamous cell carcinoma • head and neck • chemoradiotherapy • racial difference