Volume 41, Issue 6 pp. 1703-1712
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Sequential therapy of neoadjuvant biochemotherapy with cetuximab, paclitaxel, and cisplatin followed by cetuximab-based concurrent bioradiotherapy in high-risk locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma: Final analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial

Chia-Jui Yen MD, PhD

Corresponding Author

Chia-Jui Yen MD, PhD

Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

Correspondence

Kwang-Yu Chang, National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, No. 367, Sheng Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan.

Email: [email protected]

Chia-Jui Yen, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan.

Email: [email protected]

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Hsiao-Hui Tsou PhD

Hsiao-Hui Tsou PhD

Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan

Graduate Institute of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan

Hsiao-Hui Tsou, Ching-Yun Hsieh, and Chang-Yao Chu contributed equally to this study.Search for more papers by this author
Ching-Yun Hsieh MD, PhD

Ching-Yun Hsieh MD, PhD

Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

Hsiao-Hui Tsou, Ching-Yun Hsieh, and Chang-Yao Chu contributed equally to this study.Search for more papers by this author
Chang-Yao Chu MD

Chang-Yao Chu MD

Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

Hsiao-Hui Tsou, Ching-Yun Hsieh, and Chang-Yao Chu contributed equally to this study.Search for more papers by this author
Chang-Fang Chiu MD

Chang-Fang Chiu MD

Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

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Chih-Cheng Chen MD

Chih-Cheng Chen MD

Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Chiayi, Taiwan

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Chao-Jung Tsao MD, PhD

Chao-Jung Tsao MD, PhD

Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan

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Kuo-Yang Tsai MD

Kuo-Yang Tsai MD

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan

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Sen-Tien Tsai MD

Sen-Tien Tsai MD

Department of Otolaryngology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

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Jang-Yang Chang MD

Jang-Yang Chang MD

Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan

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Kwang-Yu Chang MD, PhD

Corresponding Author

Kwang-Yu Chang MD, PhD

Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan

Correspondence

Kwang-Yu Chang, National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, No. 367, Sheng Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan.

Email: [email protected]

Chia-Jui Yen, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 12 January 2019
Citations: 16

Funding information: National Health Research Institutes, Grant/Award Number: CA-107-PP-08; Taiwan Cooperative Oncology Group, Grant/Award Number: 98A1-CAPP34-014

Abstract

Background

The prognosis of advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma is poor. We investigated the effect of cetuximab-based sequential therapy as a primary treatment.

Methods

Forty-seven treatment-naive patients with advanced tumors originating from the oral cavity or oropharynx were enrolled. Neoadjuvant cetuximab, paclitaxel, and cisplatin were administered, followed by cetuximab-based radiotherapy. Immunohistochemical staining was applied to study the tissues.

Results

The best overall response rate was 70.2%, including 4 patients with a complete response and 29 with a partial response. The median progression-free and overall survival rates were 10.3 and 15.2 months, respectively. Patients with more than 50% tumor reduction with neoadjuvant therapy had better survival outcomes. Twenty-two patients had severe adverse events with mostly dermatological complications. Of the 16 patients who received operations, 9 had increased PD-L1 staining compared to pretreatment biopsy in the post hoc study.

Conclusion

The regimen was effective in selected patients. Increased PD-L1 suggested altered tumor features.

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