Radiotherapy combined with cetuximab for locally advanced head and neck cancer: results and toxicity

To describe the clinical results and tolerance of the combined treatment with radiotherapy and cetuximab for locally advanced head and neck cancer.

From August 2006 and October 2010, 36 patients with advanced squamous cell head and neck carcinoma were treated with radiotherapy (70Gy/35 fractions) and cetuximab (400mg/m(2) one week before radiotherapy, following by 250mg/m(2) once weekly, until week 7 of radiotherapy). Tolerance was evaluated every week. All patients were examined every 3months the first 3years after therapy, and then every year.

The median follow-up was 14months. The majority of patients were male (31 out of 36). Mean age was 59years. The tumours sites were: oral cavity (n=8); oropharynx (n=15); hypopharynx (n=5); larynx (n=8). Ninety percent of tumors were T3 or T4, and 45% were N2 or N3. Complete response was seen in 74% of patients, partial response in 17% and no response in 9% of patients. The overall survival was 44.4%. Relapse occurred in six patients. Anaphylactic reaction during the first infusion of cetuximab was observed in one patient. One patient developed severe aplasia after 48Gy and 5weeks of cetuximab, and died of sepsis. Eighty percent of patients presented acne, 16 patients developed a mucositis grade 2-3 and 23 patients a grade 2 skin reaction.

The concomitant use of cetuximab and radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck carcinoma is well tolerated in this group of patients. The results seem comparable to those in the literature.