Head and neck cancer. Usefulness of concurrent chemoradiation therapy with TPF

History of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) leading to the present regimen concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) with docetaxel, cisplatin, fluorouracil (5-FU), taxotere (docetaxel)+cisplatin+5-FU (TRF), is described together with authors' experience of its trials. History of the CCRT explains results of clinical trials of radio- and chemo-therapies conducted globally and in Japan with various regimens like neo-adjuvant, adjuvant, concurrent and alternating one. During the process, CCRT has been established as a standard therapy of nasopharyngeal cancer. Trials of CCRT further added with molecular targeting anticancer (cetuximab) are now in consideration and practice in HNC field. A phase I CCRT study conducted by authors with TPF at lower doses of the 3 agents than those reported abroad having resulted in outcomes with satisfactory tolerance, based on which phase II trials with 2 Gy/day for 5 days/week (total, 60 Gy) have been performed. The therapy is to be once discontinued for 2 weeks when the cumulative dose attains 40 Gy. Currently available results in 48 HNC patients (44 males, 4 females, middle-/hypo-pharynx and larynx cancers, age 48-72 y, stage III-N2b or more advanced) within 8-60 (mean 45.1) mo follow-up are: chemotherapy completion in 87.5%, total dose 60-70 Gy in all patients; adverse events grade 3-4, 14.9-54.2% (hematological), 50.0% (mucositis), 18.8% (nausea), and 6.3% (liver function); response rate of 87.5% including 77.1% complete response (CR); and 57 mo-survival and progression-free survival rates of 75.9 and 57.8%, respectively. The results suggest usefulness of CCRT with TPF for the disease. Similar clinical trials are now in progress globally. (T.T.)