Comparison of acute toxicities associated with cetuximab-based bioradiotherapy and platinum-based chemoradiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: A single-institution retrospective study in Japan. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sakashita, Tomohiro; Homma, Akihiro; Hatakeyama, Hiromitsu; Furusawa, Jun; Kano, Satoshi; Mizumachi, Takatsugu; Iizuka, Satoshi; Onimaru, Rikiya; Tsuchiya, Kazuhiko; Yasuda, Koichi; Shirato, Hiroki; Fukuda, Satoshi
• Is Part Of: Acta oto-laryngologica. Volume 135:Number 8(2015)
• Page Start: 853
• Page End: 858
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Throat -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Electronic Resources; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; 617.8
• DOI: 10.3109/00016489.2015.1030772
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6489

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Conclusion:</italic> Grade ≥ 3 mucositis/stomatitis and inability to feed orally were problematic for patients undergoing cetuximab-based bioradiotherapy (BRT) as well as platinum-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Severe mucositis/stomatitis and radiation dermatitis should be addressed carefully in patients undergoing cetuximab-based BRT as well. <italic>Objectives:</italic> The efficacy of cetuximab-based BRT in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas has been established. However, the safety of cetuximab-based BRT in comparison with platinum-based CRT is currently under investigation. <italic>Method:</italic> This study retrospectively analyzed 14 patients undergoing cetuximab-based BRT and 29 patients undergoing platinum-based CRT to compare the incidence of acute toxicities. In the BRT group, an initial cetuximab loading dose of 400 mg/m<sup>2</sup> was delivered 1 week before the start of radiotherapy. Seven weekly infusions of 250 mg/m<sup>2</sup> of cetuximab followed during the definitive radiotherapy. In the CRT group, cisplatin was administered at a dose of 40 mg/m<sup>2</sup> weekly during the definitive radiotherapy. <italic>Results:</italic> The BRT group had a higher incidence of Grade ≥ 3 radiation dermatitis than did the CRT group (43% vs 3%, respectively, <italic>p</italic> < 0.01). The incidence rate of Grade ≥ 3 mucositis/stomatitis was 64.3% and 41.4% in the BRT and CRT group, respectively (<italic>p</italic> = 0.1484), while the incidence rate of the inability to feed orally was 38.5% and 55.2%, respectively (<italic>p</italic> = 0.2053).</p> </abstract>