Induction Therapy With Cisplatin, 5-Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Paclitaxel in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

• Published in: In vivo (Athens) 2023-05, Vol.37 (3), p.1339-1345
• Main Authors: DE Sa, Carlos Eduardo Coelho, DE Iracema Gomes Cubero, Daniel, DA Costa, Rafael Everton Assuncao Ribeiro, DI Pardo, Renato, Cruz, Felipe Jose Silva Melo, DE Melo Sette, Cláudia Vaz, DA Silva, Eliana Araujo, Del Giglio, Auro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Cisplatin; Fluorouracil - adverse effects; Head and Neck Neoplasms - drug therapy; Humans; Induction Chemotherapy; Leucovorin - adverse effects; Paclitaxel - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0258-851X; 1791-7549
• DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13215

This study aimed to evaluate the toxicities and response rate of a modified TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) protocol in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (ECOG performance status ≤1). Induction treatment consisted of cisplatin 25 mg/m /day as a 90 min infusion for three consecutive days, leucovorin 20 mg/m /day as a bolus for four consecutive days, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 370 mg/m /day as a bolus for four consecutive days, and paclitaxel 60 mg/m as a 1-h infusion on Days 1, 8, and 15, repeated every 3-4 weeks (twelve cycles to 6 patients). The main toxicities were grade 1 neuropathy, mucositis, and fatigue. There were four episodes of severe toxicities (grade ≥3). There was one early death, and 2 patients were discontinued due to hematological toxicity. Other side effects included neutropenia, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Induction therapy with cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and paclitaxel in head and neck cancer is not feasible because of severe toxicity.