Supradose intra-arterial cisplatin and concurrent radiation therapy for the treatment of stage IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is feasible and efficacious in a multi-institutional setting: results of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Trial 9615.

PURPOSE

To determine the feasibility of high-dose intra-arterial (IA) cisplatin and concurrent radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the multi-institutional setting (Multi-RADPLAT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligibility included T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx. Patients received cisplatin (150 mg/m(2) IA with sodium thiosulfate 9 g/m(2) intravenous [IV], followed by 12 g/m(2) IV over 6 hours, weekly for 4 weeks) and concurrent RT (70 Gy, 2.0 Gy/fraction, daily for 5 days over 7 weeks). Between May 1997 and December 1999, 67 patients from three experienced and eight inexperienced centers were enrolled, of whom 61 were eligible for analysis.

RESULTS

Multi-RADPLAT was feasible (ie, three or four infusions of IA cisplatin and full dose of RT) in 53 patients (87%). The complete response (CR) rate was 85% at the primary site and 88% at nodal regions, and the overall CR rate was 80%. At a median follow-up of 3.9 years for alive patients (range, 0.9 to 6.1 years), the estimated 1-year and 2-year locoregional tumor control rates are 66% and 57%, respectively. The estimated 1-year and 2-year survival rates are 72% and 63%, respectively. The estimated 1-year and 2-year disease-free survival rates are 62% and 46%, respectively. The rates of grade 4 and 5 toxicities at the experienced and the inexperienced institutions were 14% and 0% v 47% and 4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This intensive treatment regimen for head and neck cancer is feasible and effective in a multi-institutional setting.