Efficacy of targeted supradose cisplatin and concomitant radiation therapy for advanced head and neck cancer: The Memphis experience

K. Thomas Robbins, Parvesh Kumar, William F. Regine, Frank S.H. Wong, Alva B. Weir, Pamela Flick, Larry E. Kun, Robert Palmer, Thomas Murry, James Fontanesi, Robert Ferguson, Randall Thomas, William Hartsell, Camilo U. Paig, George Salazar, Linda Norfleet, Catherine B. Hanchett, Vanessa Harrington, H. Barry Niell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

145 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose/Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, response rates, and toxicity of a Phase II study using targeted supradose cisplatin and concurrent radiation therapy in unresectable Stage III-IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Methods and Materials: Sixty patients presenting between 6/93-9/94 were enrolled, 44 (73%) of whom had T4 and/or N2-N3 nodal disease. All patients were treated with rapid targeted superselective intraarterial infusions of cisplatin (150 mg/m2 weekly X 4) and simultaneous sodium thiosulfate intravenously (9 g/m2) for systemic neutralization of cisplatin. Concurrent (day 1) daily radiation therapy was delivered to the primary tumor and overt nodal disease to 66-74 Gy while the uninvolved lower neck received 50 Gy, at 2.0 Gy/fraction. Results: Fifty-one (85%) patients completed the full RADPLAT protocol as planned. Fifty-seven of 60 patients were evaluable for response. Histological (n = 50) or clinical (n = 7) assessment of primary site revealed a complete response (CR) in 52 patients, partial response (PR) in 4, and stable disease (SD) in 1. Of the 40 patients presenting with nodal metastases, pathological (n = 31) or clinical (n = 6) assessment revealed a CR in 25, PR in 11, and SD in 1, while 3 were unevaluable. Overall, for both primary site and nodal disease, CR was attained in 44 (75%), PR in 12 (23%), and SD in 1 (2%) of the 57 evaluable patients. Only 2 (4%) of 57 evaluable patients have recurred above the clavicle, 1 in the primary site and 1 in the regional lymph nodes. Twelve patients (23%) have failed in distant sites. Grade III/VI toxicity has included gastrointestinal in 6, hematologic in 6, mucosal in 12, vascular in 4, and neurological in 4 patients. Conclusion: Concurrent radiation therapy and targeted supradose cisplatin (i.e., RADPLAT) can be safely delivered with high response rates and excellent loco-regional control in advanced Stage III/IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)263-271
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics
Volume38
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 1997

Keywords

  • Concomitant radiation therapy
  • Head and neck cancer
  • Targeted supradose cisplatin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiation
  • Oncology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cancer Research

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