Sequential combination chemotherapy of advanced head and neck carcinoma: re-evaluation of a highly effective regimen.

Twenty-seven evaluable patients with advanced head and neck squamous carcinoma were treated with a polychemotherapeutic regimen described in 1975 by Price et al. Chemotherapy consisted of vincristine, adriamycin, bleomycin, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, hydroxyurea, 6-mercaptopurine and citrovorum factor administered sequentially. One complete remission, 4 partial remissions, 7 minor responses were obtained for a total of 12/77 (44%) objective responses. Toxicity was acceptable. The results obtained were not better than those observed with less complicated regimens administrable on an outpatient basis.