[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with nedaplatin and UFT for oral squamous cell carcinomas]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative combination chemotherapy with nedaplatin and UFT for oral squamous cell carcinomas. Eleven patients were enrolled in this study (four men and seven women, with a mean age of 66.3 years). They received oral UFT (300 or 400 mg/day, total 2,100-24,600 mg with an average of 10,700 mg) from the initial diagnosis to the day before surgery. They also received an administration of nedaplatin (80 or 100 mg/m2) about four weeks before the planned surgery. The locoregional response rate (complete response and partial response) was 36.4%, and histological examination of surgical specimens revealed a response rate of 40%. There was no relationship between total dose of UFT and either clinical or histological response. Three patients showed severe neutropenia under 1,000/m3 and all recovered with (two patients) or without (one) the use of G-CSF. No other severe side effect was recognized. From the results of this study it is suggested that this combination therapy is useful for preoperative patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, and that it is possible for them to undergo the therapy on an out-patient basis.