Evaluation of topotecan in patients with recurrent for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck : A phase II Southwest Oncology Group study

• Published in: Investigational new drugs 1996-01, Vol.14 (4), p.403-407
• Main Authors: SMITH, R. E, LEW, D, RODRIGUEZ, G. I, TAYLOR, S. A, SCHULLER, D, ENSLEY, J. F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic agents; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Camptothecin - adverse effects; Camptothecin - analogs & derivatives; Camptothecin - therapeutic use; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - drug therapy; Chemotherapy; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms - drug therapy; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Topotecan
• ISSN: 0167-6997; 1573-0646
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00180818

Twenty-nine patients with persistent, recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated daily for five days at three-week intervals with topotecan 1.5 mg/m2. Four patients received prior chemotherapy, 23 prior surgery and 29 prior radiation therapy. Of the 29 eligible patients, 8 patients were not evaluable for response and were assumed to be non-responders. Of the remaining 21 evaluable patients, there were zero responses (0%, 95% confidence interval [0,.12]). The most common toxicities were myelosuppression, dyspnea and malaise/fatigue/lethargy. Topotecan has limited activity in advanced head and neck cancer with this dose and schedule.