Imagine facing a head and neck cancer diagnosis and worrying about the harsh side effects of treatment. A study asked if a gentler, more personalized approach could help. They tested a three-part plan for people with a specific type of head and neck cancer that could be treated with a less invasive surgery. First, patients received six weeks of chemotherapy with two drugs (carboplatin and paclitaxel) plus a daily pill called lapatinib. Then, they had surgery through the mouth. Finally, the treatment plan was tailored based on what was found during surgery. If the cancer was low risk, patients got no further treatment or just radiation to a small area. For medium risk, they got radiation to one side of the neck with weekly chemo. For high risk, they got a stronger chemo drug (cisplatin) every three weeks along with daily lapatinib, plus radiation to both sides of the neck. The main goal was to see how well patients responded overall. The study involved 40 people and was completed to see if this risk-adapted method could lessen toxic effects and improve treatment.
Can a gentler, three-part treatment plan reduce side effects for head and neck cancer?
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What this means for you:
A study tested a personalized, three-step treatment to reduce side effects for head and neck cancer. What this means for you:
A study tested a personalized, three-step treatment to reduce side effects for head and neck cancer. View Original Abstract ↓
Status: COMPLETED | Phase: PHASE2
Condition(s): Head and Neck Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Intervention(s): Carboplatin (DRUG), Paclitaxel (DRUG), Lapatinib (DRUG), Cisplatin (DRUG), Cisplatin (DRUG)
The purpose of this study is to see if a three method risk adapted design using induction chemotherapy, transoral surgery and radiation chemotherapy will lessen toxic effects and make treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) better.
Detailed: This is a single-arm non-randomized two-stage phase II trial in previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) arising in the oral cavity, oropharynx, or supraglottic larynx amenable to a transoral surgical approach. Treatment will consist of 3 parts: neoadjuvant induction with weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel in combination with daily lapatinib for 6 weeks (PART 1) prior to transoral surgery (PART 2). Post-operative treatment (PART 3) will vary depending on the risk category assigned to the patient following surgery as follows: no further treatment or treatment limited to involved field radiation (low risk), ipsilateral radiation concurrent with weekly chemotherapy ( medium risk); or cisplatin every 3 weeks and daily lapatinib concurrent with bila
Primary Outcome(s): Overall Response Rate
Enrollment: 40 (ACTUAL)
Lead Sponsor: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Start: 2012-06 | Primary Completion: 2016-11
Results posted: 2017-10-13