Single Arm, Phase II Study of Cisplatin, Docetaxel, and Erlotinib in Patients with Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Mené sur 50 patients atteints d'un carcinome épidermoïde de la tête et du cou de stade métastatique et/ou récidivant, cet essai de phase II évalue l'efficacité, du point de vue du taux de réponse, d'un traitement de première ligne combinant erlotinib, cisplatine et docétaxel, suivi d'un traitement d'entretien à base d'erlotinib
Background : The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a key role in the carcinogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). We conducted this clinical study to test the hypothesis that the addition of erlotinib to first‐line cisplatin and docetaxel for patients with recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC would yield a response rate of at least 50%, representing an improvement from historical controls. Methods : Patients with recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC, with at least one measurable lesion, no prior chemotherapy for recurrent and/or metastatic disease, prior combined modality therapy completed >6 months before enrollment, and performance status ≤2 were treated with cisplatin, docetaxel, and erlotinib for up to six cycles, followed by maintenance erlotinib until disease progression. The primary endpoint was response rate. Results : Fifty patients were enrolled (42 male, 12 never smokers, 19 with oropharynx cancer). The median number of cycles was five; 31 patients initiated maintenance erlotinib; 14 patients required erlotinib dose reductions. The objective response rate was 62%, and the median progression-free and overall survival were 6.1 and 11.0 months, respectively. Toxicity profiles were consistent with the known side effects of the study drugs. Conclusion : The study met its primary endpoint and improved response rates compared with historical controls. The findings support further evaluation of the regimen for recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCCs
The Oncologist 2018