Induction Modified TPF Followed by Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

The prognosis of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LASCCHN) is poor, therefore continuous research effort is being made in order to improve treatment efficacy. Standard treatment consists of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with cisplatin. In spite of many clinical trials and meta-analyses, the improvement of patient outcomes with the use of induction chemotherapy (IC) hasn´t been clearly demonstrated, partially due to the high toxicity of the standard TPF (docetaxel+cisplatin+fluorouracil) regimen used most frequently in this setting. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of patients with LASCCHN treated with a less toxic induction mTPF regimen followed by CCRT.

The study will include patients with LASCCHN who - by the decision of the multidisciplinary team - have been assigned treatment with IC followed by CCRT. After being informed about the study objectives and potential risks, all patients giving written informed consent and meeting all the eligibility criteria will start the treatment. According to the study protocol, participants will receive 4 cycles of induction mTPF regimen repeated every 2 weeks followed by computed tomography (CT) response evaluation. 3-6 weeks after having completed the last cycle of mTPF, patients without disease progression will start CCRT with 2 cycles of cisplatin every 3 weeks. Twelve weeks after radiotherapy termination, a PET-CT scan will be performed in order to evaluate the treatment outcome.

Inclusion criteria

• patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LASCCHN): oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, and unknown primary
• stage cT4 and/or cN2-N3, with no distant metastases (M0).
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) 0-2
• initial clinical staging evaluated in:

• CT scan or MRI of the neck and CT scan of the chest or
• FDG18 PET TC

Exclusion criteria

• patients with p16 positive oropharyngeal carcinoma cT0-T3 N2 M0 (stage II), unless extranodal tumor extension
• contraindications for cisplatin administration: renal insufficiency (eGFR < 55ml/min), hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy
• dysphagia G>2 with no percutaneous gastrostomy
• the presence of distant metastasis (M1)