Phase I study of weekly nab-paclitaxel + weekly cetuximab + intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in patients with stage III–IVB head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
Mené sur 25 patients atteints d'un carcinome épidermoïde de la tête et du cou de stade III–IVB (âge : 46 à 84 ans), cet essai de phase I évalue l'efficacité, du point de vue de la survie globale à 2 ans, et la toxicité de différentes doses hebdomadaires de nab-paclitaxel et de cetuximab combinées de manière concomitante à une radiothérapie avec modulation d'intensité
Background : There is a clinical need to improve the efficacy of standard cetuximab + concurrent intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for patients with locally and/or regionally advanced HNSCC. Taxanes have radiosensitizing activity against HNSCC, and nab-paclitaxel may offer therapeutic advantage in comparison with other taxanes. Patients and methods : This was a single-institution phase I study with a modified 3 + 3 design. Four dose levels (DLs) of weekly nab-paclitaxel were explored (30, 45, 60, and 80 mg/m2), given with standard weekly cetuximab (450 mg/m2 loading dose followed by 250 mg/m2 weekly) and concurrent IMRT (total dose, 70 Gy). Results : Twenty-five eligible patients (20 M, 5 F) enrolled, with median age 58 years (range, 46–84 years). Primary tumor sites were oropharynx, 19 (10 human papillomavirus [HPV] pos, 8 HPV neg, 1 not done); neck node with unknown primary, 2; larynx 2; and oral cavity and maxillary sinus, 1 each. Seven patients had received prior induction chemotherapy. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was exceeded at DL4 (nab-paclitaxel, 80 mg/m2) with three dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) (grade 3 neuropathy, grade 3 dehydration, with grade 3 mucositis grade 3 anemia) among five assessable patients. There was only one DLT (grade 3 supraventricular tachycardia) among six patients at DL3 (nab-paclitaxel, 60 mg/m2), and this was deemed the MTD. Among 23 assessable patients, the most common ≥ g3 AEs were lymphopenia 100%, functional mucositis 65%, and pain in throat/oral cavity 52%. At a median follow-up of 33 months, 2-year failure-free survival (FFS) is 65% [95% confidence interval (CI) 42% to 81%] and 2-year overall survival (OS) is 91% (95% CI 69–97). Conclusion : The recommended phase II dose for nab-paclitaxel is 60 mg/m2 weekly when given standard weekly cetuximab and concurrent IMRT. This regimen merits further study as a nonplatinum alternative to IMRT + cetuximab alone.