Abstract 442P
Background
Unresectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) poses a significant treatment challenge, needing chemotherapy regimens to improve outcomes and QoL. This retrospective analysis compares the efficacy and safety of two commonly used chemo regimens: docetaxel plus cisplatin (DP) versus paclitaxel plus carboplatin (PC) in patients with unresectable HNSCC.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of 104 patients with unresectable HNSCC was done. The DP arm (n=55) received docetaxel (75 mg/m2) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2) every three weeks for up to six cycles. The PC arm (n=49) received paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) and carboplatin (AUC 5) every three weeks for up to six cycles. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included survival (OS), response rate (ORR), and toxicity profiles.
Results
The median PFS was ten months for DP versus eight months for PC (p=0.10). The median OS was 16 months for the DP arm compared to 14 months for the PC arm, which was not statistically significant (p=0.15). The ORR was 58% in the DP arm and 52% in the PC arm (p=0.40). Both regimens were associated with significant toxicities, but their profiles differed. The DP arm had higher rates of grade 3-4 neutropenia (35% vs. 25%, p=0.05) and neuropathy (18% vs. 10%, p=0.08). The PC arm exhibited higher incidences of grade 3-4 anaemia (20% vs. 15%, p=0.20) and thrombocytopenia (15% vs. 10%, p=0.30).
Conclusions
Of the two treatment options for unresectable HNSCC, neither regimen demonstrated a significant superiority in progression-free survival. However, the distinct toxicity profiles suggest that treatment selection should be tailored to individual patient tolerance and comorbidities. This is a retrospective unrandomised study, that is our limitation.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.