Retrospective evaluation of concomitant cetuximab and radiotherapy tolerance for locoregional advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treatment in patients unfit for platinum-based chemotherapy

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2017 Jul;274(7):2883-2889. doi: 10.1007/s00405-017-4550-7. Epub 2017 Apr 5.

Abstract

Radiotherapy associated with cetuximab (Cet-RT) is an alternative treatment to platinum-based chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck carcinoma (LAHNC). Reviews suggest that the use of cetuximab is associated with poorer tolerance in patients unfit for chemotherapy than in pivotal trial. We retrospectively studied patients first treated by Cet-RT for LAHNC presenting contraindications to chemoradiotherapy. Objectives were treated population description, acute tolerance, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and 3-month clinical response. Eighty-eight patients were included. Treatment was completed without delay for 43 patients. Grade 3-4 acute toxicity was described in 44.3%: mucositis (n = 20), radiodermatitis (n = 25) folliculitis (n = 10), and anaphylaxis (n = 6). Fourteen patients died during treatment. Median PFS and OS were 6.3 and 18.7 months, respectively. We confirm that Cet-RT tolerance in unfit patients is poorer than that in trials. Survival data illustrate patients' frailty and suggest that balanced use of Cet-RT is required in this population.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / therapy
  • Cetuximab* / administration & dosage
  • Cetuximab* / adverse effects
  • Chemoradiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Chemoradiotherapy / methods
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions* / diagnosis
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions* / etiology
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • France
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Patient Selection
  • Product Surveillance, Postmarketing
  • Radiodermatitis* / diagnosis
  • Radiodermatitis* / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Cetuximab