Abstract 874P
Background
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancers. The objective of this study was to assess the locoregional response rates and acute toxicity in patients with locally advanced head and neck carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin versus cisplatin and capecitabine.
Methods
A total of 108 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study and randomly assigned to 2 arms of 55 patients each. Patients in Arm A were treated with chemoradiation to a dose of 70 Gy with weekly Inj. cisplatin 40mg/m2. Patients in Arm B were treated with chemoradiation to a dose of 70 Gy with weekly Inj. cisplatin 40mg/m2 and T. Capecitabine 500mg/m2 twice daily along with RT. Locoregional response rates were assessed clinically and radiologically 6 weeks after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The toxicity profile of the treatment was assessed with RTOG acute morbidity scoring criteria and CTCAE Version 4. Statistical evaluation was done with mean, percentage and frequency using Chi-Square, Student’s t-test.
Results
A total of 50 patients in each arm completed the study and were available for analysis. In the cisplatin-only arm, 65% of patients had complete response and 35% had partial response. In the cisplatin and capecitabine arm 74% of patients had complete response and 26% had partial response. In arm A, grade 3 mucositis were seen in 9 patients, grade 3 skin reactions in 5 patients. None of the patients had grade 3 or more diarrhea whereas 3 patients had grade 3 vomiting. In arm B, grade 3 mucositis were seen in 16 patients, grade 3 skin reactions in 8 patients. 4 patients had grade 3 diarrhea whereas 5 patients had grade 3 vomiting. None of the patients had hand-foot syndrome or renal toxicities
Conclusions
Concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin and capecitabine in locally advanced head and neck cancer is a better regimen with higher complete response rates compared to chemoradiation with cisplatin alone with manageable toxicities.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The author.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
The author has declared no conflicts of interest.