Docetaxel and platinum combination chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic head and neck cancer

To assess the efficacy and toxicity of the docetaxel and platinum combination in patients with locoregionally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

A total of 24 patients with metastatic or locoregionally advanced SCCHN treated with docetaxel and platinum combination chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. All of them had histologically proven SCCHN, measurable disease and ECOG performance status of 2 or less, and were treated with docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) as a 60 min i.v. infusion on day 1, followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) or carboplatin AUC 6 as a 60 min i.v. infusion on day 1 every 3 weeks, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients were evaluated for response, survival and toxicity.

Seven (29%) patients showed partial response (PR) and 1 (4%) complete response (CR) for an overall response rate of 33%. Twelve (50%) patients had stable disease (SD). Disease control rate was 83%. The median follow-up time was 26.4 months (range 2-127), the median time to progression 16 months (range 2-20), and the median overall survival 19 months (range 2-22). Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity occurred in 13 (54%) patients. Febrile neutropenia was seen in 5 (21%) patients.

Docetaxel plus cisplatin or carboplatin is an effective regimen with acceptable safety profile for palliation of locally advanced or metastatic SCCHN.