The role of taxanes and targeted therapies in locally advanced head and neck cancer

Abstract

Taxane/cisplatin/5 fluorouracil induction chemotherapy is clearly superior to cisplatin/5 fluorouracil. Epidermal growth factor receptor directed therapies can safely be combined with radiation and the combination shows encouraging results.

IL‐13 cytotoxin has potent antitumor activity and synergizes with paclitaxel in a mouse model of oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…32 The regional effectiveness of radiation can be enhanced by the accompanying radiosensitizing chemotherapy, including taxanes. 33 Thus, our results indicate that paclitaxel may synergize with IL13-PE38 in mediating antitumor activity in clinical trials as well.…”

A Retrospective, Multicenter Study of the Tolerance of Induction Chemotherapy With Docetaxel, Cisplatin, and 5-Fluorouracil Followed by Radiotherapy With Concomitant Cetuximab in 46 Cases of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

“…Shortly after the turn of the millennium, Vermorken et al (5) demonstrated that the addition of docetaxel to cisplatin and 5-FU (DCF) in ICT followed by radiotherapy alone significantly increased locoregional control and survival with acceptable safety compared with ICT with cisplatin and 5-FU followed by radiotherapy alone in nonresectable SCCHN. These data and those from other studies (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) have provoked renewed interest in the place of ICT in the treatment of SCCHN.…”

Standard, and novel cytotoxic and molecular-targeted, therapies for HNSCC: an evidence-based review

“…These trials evaluated regimens comprising the following: docetaxel plus cisplatin [20] or 5-fluorouracil [22]; paclitaxel, plus cisplatin [21] or carboplatin, plus 5-fluorouracil [23][24][25]; and paclitaxel plus 5-fluorouracil and oral hydroxyurea [26]. One phase III study was identified of paclitaxel plus cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced HNSCC [27]; preliminary data from Standard, and novel cytotoxic and molecular-targeted, therapies for HNSCC Murdoch 217 other, similar phase III trials are already available [28], with full results expected to be released soon.…”

“…Nonetheless, a recent clinical trend has seen increased use of taxane-based triple therapy (ie, docetaxel or paclitaxel, plus cisplatin or carboplatin, plus 5-fluorouracil [23][24][25]), and additional large-scale RCTs of such regimens are now warranted. One full paper of a phase III RCT of taxanebased triple therapy has been published [27]; preliminary data are available from other phase III trials [28], and full results are expected to be released soon. Other issues requiring large-scale RCTs are the potential places in therapy of the following: gemcitabine or vinorelbine, used alone or in various combination schedules; the recently developed EGFR-specific agent cetuximab in combination with radiotherapy, which is a good alternative to cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (mainly in patients with contraindications to cisplatin use), added to taxanebased triple therapy; erlotinib or gefitinib in patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC; and sequential schedules comprising induction therapy followed by chemoradiotherapy, with surgery reserved as a salvage approach.…”