A phase II study of gefitinib for aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To determine the disease control rate and toxicity of treating patients with aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) with neoadjuvant gefitinib.

Experimental design

A prospective phase II clinical trial evaluating neoadjuvant gefitinib given prior to standard treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy. Patients with stable disease after one cycle received escalated doses. Patients who responded were given gefitinib during radiation therapy, as well as maintenance therapy after definitive treatment. We analyzed the correlation between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, mutation status, and gene copy number on available tissue samples and clinical response.

Results

Twenty-three patients were accrued and 22 patients were evaluable for

SUBMITTER: Lewis CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6167936 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature