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

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of the docetaxel and platinum combination inpatients with locoregionally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Patients and methods: A total of 24 patients with metastatic or locoregionally advanced SCCHN treated with docetaxel and platinum combination chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. A 11 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 I every 3 weeks, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients were evaluated for response, survival and toxicity. Results: 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 progresion 16 months (range 2-20), and the median overal survival 19 months (range 2-22). Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity occurred in 13 (54%)patients. Febrile neutropenia was seen in 5 (21%) patients. Conclusion: Docetaxel plus cisplatin or carboplatin is an effective regimen with acceptable safety profile for palliation of locally advanced or metastatic SCCHN.