Modified bi-weekly cetuximab-cisplatin and 5-FU/leucovorin based regimen for effective treatment of recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to reduce chemotherapy exposure of patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The standard chemotherapy treatment protocol for patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) requires as long as 56 days of hospitalization over six months. Where the 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) pump is available, most treatment will be on outpatient bases, however patients will still be under chemotherapy treatment for a comparable period of time (around 50 days).

Aim

A modified protocol was assessed to decrease hospitalization and/or chemotherapy treatment time without sacrificing outcomes, to potentially increase patient quality of life.

Methods and results

A retrospective analysis (2005-2018) of recurrent/metastatic HNSCC patients with a modified treatment protocol was performed. Treatment consisted of cisplatin, cetuximab

SUBMITTER: Meirovitz A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8955066 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature