Accelerated postoperative chemoradiotherapy for malignant cerebral glioma

Procedure of accelerated immunotherapy for cerebral glioma is presented. Large fractions of radiation ranged from 3 Gy, 5 times a week, to a total focal dose of 51 Gy. After accumulation of total doses of 18, 33 and 48 Gy, vincristine was injected intravenously. Urea derivatives were given on reaching 21, 36 and 51 Gy. Treatment with the immunomodulator roncoleukine was carried out on completion of radiotherapy. An evaluation of the immediate end results of accelerated immunotherapy showed improved survival as compared with standard treatment.     

Clinical phase I trial of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy with S-1 for T2NO glottic carcinoma

We conducted a phase I study to determine a recommended dose (RD) of S-1 for chemo-radiotherapy consisting of S-1+ radiotherapy for T 2 N 0 larynx cancer. The method of administration used to assess the RD was irradiation with 2 Gy/day for 5 days a week until a total dose of 60 Gy, and concomitant administration of S-1 once a day for 2 weeks beginning on the day therapy was started followed by 2 weeks off the drug and 2 weeks on the drug with the dose escalating from S-1 60 mg/body/day (level 1) to 80 mg/body/day (level 2), and then to 100 mg/body/day (level 3). 18 patients were enrolled. 4 patients developed an adverse event of grade 3 radiation dermatitis which became a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) at level 3. We then concluded that 100 mg/body/day was the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of S-1 and decided that the RD of S-1 was 80 mg/body/day.     

Two cases of giant metastatic cervical lymphnode from oral cancer responding to concurrent chemoradiotherapy with S-1

We report two cases of giant metastatic cervical lymphnode from oral squamous cell carcinoma, successfully treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy with S-1. Case 1 was a 80-year-old male who had an ipsilateral occult neck metastasis(52x46 mm mass)at level IV after surgery of the left tongue carcinoma(T2N0M0). Radiotherapy(2.0 Gy/day; 5 days/week)was given at a total dose of 66 Gy. Two courses of oral administration of S-1(61 mg/m2/day)for 2 weeks followed by 1-week rest period as one course was repeated with the concurrent radiotherapy. After the radiotherapy, the oral administration of S-1 alone was continued for 1 year under the same regimen. Case 2 was a 51-year-old male who had left tongue carcinoma(T4bN2cM0)with ipsilateral cervical lymphnode metastasis(88x44 mm mass). The same chemoradiotherapy(1.8 Gy/day; 5 days/week; a total dose of 63 Gy; S-1 53 mg/m2/day)was carried out as in case 1. These giant metastatic lymphnodes of case 1 and 2 disappeared by 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy, respectively, and achieved a complete response. This therapy may be effective not only for primary lesion of oral cancer, but also metastatic regional lymphnodes in some cases.     

食管癌全程三维适形后程加速超分割放疗的临床观察

目的：探讨全程三维适形后程加速超分割放疗治疗食管癌的疗效。方法：对24例食管癌患者进行三维适形放疗,2Gy／次,5次／周,至DT40Gy／20次／4周后改为1．5Gy／次,2次／日,行10次,总剂量DT70Gy／6周。结果：1、2、3年局控率为70．8％、62．5％、58．3％;1、2．3年生存率为79．1％、54．2％、41．6％。结论：食管癌患者采用三维适形后程加速超分割放疗可提高局控率和生存率,减轻正常组织损伤,不良反应可耐受。     

Combination of 5-FU cisplatinum and hypofractionated irradiation followed by split-course radiotherapy in 47 patients with unresectable non small cell lung cancer.

Forty-seven patients with unresectable non small cell lung carcinoma, 15 stage IIIA, 31 stage IIIB, 1 stage IV (cervical lymphadenopathy) were treated with a combination of three courses of chemotherapy and hypofractionated irradiation followed after 3 weeks by split course radiotherapy. Each course was repeated every 3 weeks with the following sequence: Cisplatinum (CDDP) (20 mg/m2) was given in a 20-min infusion, followed by a 2-h infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (400 mg/m2) on days 1, 2, 5 and 6. Radiation with a dose of 3 Gy on the target volume was given on days 3 and 4--in one fraction for the former 27 patients, in 2 fractions of 1.5 Gy for the latter 20 patients with a 6-h interval--after a 2-h infusion of 5-FU (400 mg/m2). The results remain disappointing: the objective response rate was 53%, the median survival was 10 months for the series, and the one-year survival 47%. The median survival was 14 months for IIIA, 10 months for IIIB and IV. Regarding the therapeutic regimen there seems to be less morbidity with 2 fractions per day for which the median survival is nearly the same at 10 months (1 fraction/day) versus 12 months (2 fractions/day).     

Long-term complete response in a case of unresectable rectal cancer following chemoradiation

We report a case of unresectable rectal cancer in a 53-year-old male treated with chemoradiation. Radiation therapy was delivered with a total pelvic dose of 45 Gy together with oral administration of 5'-DFUR (1,200 mg/day). The patient received one course of combination chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, 100 mg/body x 1 day, and 5-FU, 1,000 mg/body x 5 days, followed by radiation therapy. Oral administration of tegafur-uracil (300 mg/day) was continued for five years following the chemoradiation. The patient is now disease-free 75 months after the initial surgery. Chemoradiation can be managed to obtain a complete remission of some locally advanced rectal cancers.     

食管癌超分割放疗剂量的临床研究

为探索食管癌超分割放疗适宜的剂量，１９８７年３～９月我们对８０例中段食管鳞癌患者随机分为３组进行对照研究：Ａ组总量为６０～７０Ｇｙ／６～７周，每天１次２Ｇｙ，每周５次；Ｂ组总量为５１Ｇｙ／２３天，每天２次，每；１．５Ｇｙ；Ｃ组总量为５０Ｇｙ／２３天，每天３次，每次１Ｇｙ。所有病人随诊超过５年，５年生存率Ａ、Ｂ、ＣＭ组分别为１１．１％、３７％和２３．１％。Ｂ组与Ａ组比较Ｐ＜０．０５。结果表明，总量为５１Ｇｙ的每天２次超分割放疗，具有疗程短、经济负担轻、生存率高等优点，治疗食管癌是可行的。     

Histological complete response in a case of advanced gastric cancer treated by chemotherapy with S-1 plus low-dose cisplatin and radiation

A 76-year-old male was diagnosed with stage IV (cT4, cN2, cP0, cH0, cM0) gastric carcinoma with a type 3 tumor in the cardia with lymph node metastases, determined by gastrofiberscope and abdominal computed tomography (CT). The patient was treated with chemotherapy consisting of S-1 and low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) during the first cycle (3 weeks). S-1 was orally administered at a dose of 100 mg/day (60 mg/m(2)/day) on days 1-21. CDDP was infused at a dose of 10 mg/day (6 mg/m(2)/day) on days 1-5, 8-12 and 15-19. After this cycle, the clinical response was evaluated as no change (NC). In the second cycle, radiation therapy (2 Gy/day for 5 days/week) was initiated along with the chemotherapy. The CDDP dose was decreased to 7.5 mg/day because of the grade 3 thrombocytopenia and grade 2 leukocytopenia that occurred during the first cycle. The second cycle was stopped at a total radiation dose of 48 Gy due to grade 3 thrombocytopenia and grade 2 leukocytopenia. Examination after this treatment showed remarkable reduction of tumor volume in the primary lesion and lymph nodes, which was defined as a partial response (PR). The patient then underwent total gastrectomy with D1 lymph node dissection. The postoperative course was uneventful without surgical complications. At this time, no gastric cancer cells were detected in the resected specimen, including the primary lesion and lymph nodes, confirming a pathological complete response (CR grade 3). Thus, the chemo-radiation treatment regimen described here may be a potent tool to control advanced gastric carcinoma.     

A phase I trial of preoperative radiotherapy and capecitabine for locally advanced, potentially resectable rectal cancer

The purpose of the study was to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of oral capecitabine, combined with concurrent, standard preoperative pelvic radiotherapy, when given twice daily, from Monday to Friday throughout the course of radiotherapy, for locally advanced potentially resectable rectal cancer. Maximum-tolerated dose was defined as the total (given in two equally divided doses) oral dose of capecitabine that caused treatment-related grade 3 or 4 toxicity in one-third or more of the patients treated. Radiotherapy involved 50.4 Gy given in 28 fractions in 5 weeks and 3 days. Eligible patients had a newly diagnosed clinical stage T3-4 N0-2 M0 rectal adenocarcinoma located within 12 cm of the anal verge suitable for curative resection. Surgery was performed 4-6 weeks from completion of preoperative chemoradiotherapy. In all, 28 patients were enrolled in the study at predefined dose levels: 850 mg m(-2) day(-1) (n=3), 1000 mg m(-2) day(-1) (n=6), 1250 mg m(-2) day(-1) (n=3), 1650 mg m(-2) day(-1) (n=3), 1800 mg m(-2) day(-1) (n=8) and 2000 mg m(-2) day(-1) (n=5). The mean age was 62.3 years (range: 33-80 years). Five patients were female and 23 male. The median distance of tumour from the anal verge was 6 cm (range: 1-11 cm). Endorectal ultrasound was performed in 93% of patients. A total of 26 patients (93%) had T3 disease and two patients had resectable T4 disease. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) developed in one patient at dose level 1000 mg m(-2) day(-1) (RTOG grade 3 cystitis). Two of the five patients at dose level 2000 mg m(-2) day(-1) had a total of three DLT (grade 3 perineal skin reaction, grade 3 diarrhoea and grade 3 dehydration). Dose escalation of capecitabine was ceased at 2000 mg m(-2) day(-1) after reaching MTD. None of the eight patients at dose level 1800 mg m(-2) day(-1) developed DLT. All except one patient underwent surgery. A total of 15 patients had the clinical T stage reduced by at least one stage in pathologic specimens. Five patients (19%) achieved a pathologic complete response. We conclude that the MTD of capecitabine was reached at a dose level of 2000 mg m(-2) day(-1), given as 1000 mg m(-2) twice daily, from Monday to Friday throughout the course of preoperative pelvic irradiation of 50.4 Gy. For patients with resectable rectal cancer receiving concurrent, full dose radiotherapy, the recommended dose of capecitabine for further study is 1800 mg m(-2) day(-1) when given in this schedule.     

Intratumoral administration of 5-fluorouracil and bleomycin in inoperable cancer of the cardioesophageal region

The methods and results of combined therapy (drugs+radiation+intratumoral injection of 5-fluorouracil and (chemoimmunotherapy+intratumoral injection of bleomycin) were compared with the standard procedure (chemotherapy+radiation) for treating inoperable cancer in the cardioesophageal region. The study group included 47 patients aged 32-79. Tumors were inoperable due to considerable expansion in 32 and remote metastases in 15 patients. The single dose of 5-fluorouracil injected into tumor via a fibroendoscope at the start of chemoradiation treatment ranged 750-1,000 mg (course dose of the drug-2.75-4.25 g, total focal dose of radiation -24-36 Gy). The single intratumoral dose of bleomycin injected prior to total polychemotherapy (vinblastine, ftorafur, cyclophosphamide) was 10-15 mg. In the control group receiving standard combined therapy, the total focal dose was 60-62 Gy and course dose of 5-fluorouracil -5-7 g. Objective improvement was observed in 63.6% matched by a mean survival time of 14.6 months after combined therapy given in conjunction with supporting chemoimmunotherapy. This showed an improvement on the results of standard combination therapy which were 58.3% and 9.3 months, respectively.     

A case of advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma responding to concurrent radiotherapy with S-1

A 68-year-old patient with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (T3N2bM0, Stage IVA) was treated by concurrent radiotherapy with S-1.S-1 (120 mg/body/day) was orally administered for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week rest period as one course, and radiation was given (1.8 Gy/day; 5 days/week) for a total of 61.2 Gy. After 61.2 Gy radiation and two courses of S-1, the primary region showed a complete response (CR), and that the tumor cell was not identified as a result of biopsy. In addition, the metastatic lymph nodes in the neck were no longer seen on head and neck computed tomography (CT). Although the patient is still taking UFT, he is well with no signs of recurrence 27 months from the initial treatment.     

后程超分割放疗协同不同化疗方案治疗食管癌的临床研究

目的评价后程超分割放疗协同不同化疗方案治疗局部晚期食管癌的疗效及不良反应.方法前瞻性研究,入组287例局部晚期食管癌,先采用信封法随机分为后程超分割放疗协同顺铂+5-氟尿嘧啶(DF)+甲酰四氢叶酸钙(CF)化疗组(A组)及协同口服5-氟尿嘧啶多相脂质体化疗组(B组),两组中拒绝行化疗者入单纯后程超分割放疗组(C组).A组115例,B组107例,C组65例.放疗方法:3组前2/3疗程均先常规分割放疗至DT40 Gy,然后缩野避开脊髓行等中心超分割放疗,DT1.3～1.5 Gy/次,2次/d,5 d/W.总剂量:A、B组DT60～66 Gy,C组DT60～70 Gy.预防剂量DT 50 Gy.结果A、B、C 3组近期疗效无统计学差异,1、2、3年肿瘤局部控制率分别为80%、50.4%、42.6%;72.9%、51.4%、41.1%;63.1%、38.5%、30.8%;1、2、3、5年生存率分别为79.1%、53%、39.1%、27.1%;82.2%、48.6%、37.4%、26.6%;72.3%、38.5%、26.2%、18.6%;其中1年肿瘤局部控制率、3年生存率A组均明显优于C组(x2=6.16,P＜0.025;x2=4.67,P＜0.05;).Ⅱ度及以上骨髓抑制、放射性食管炎、放射性气管炎发生率A、B、C 3组分别为50.5%、11.2%、9.2%;50.4%、23.4%、18.5%;33%、12.1%、10.8%.A组均明显高于B、C组(P均＜0.005),B、C组之间差异无统计学意义(P均＞0.05).结论A组提高了1年肿瘤局部控制率和3年生存率,但Ⅱ度及以上骨髓抑制、放射性食管炎、放射性气管炎发生率均明显增加;B组局部控制率、生存率均有增高趋势,与A组差异无统计学意义,且无严重不良反应,患者耐受性良好;病例数量尚较少,需进一步研究.     

Thoracic radiation therapy and concomitant low-dose daily paclitaxel in non-small cell lung cancer: a phase I study

The primary objective of the current study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel (PTX) that could be added daily to radiation therapy (RT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The secondary objective was to achieve a plasma concentration of PTX estimated to exert a radiosensitizing effect. Eighteen patients with locally advanced NSCLC were treated. 60 Gy of RT were given in 2 Gy fractions, 5 days per week. A daily dose of PTX was delivered by 4-h i.v. infusion before RT. The initial dose level of PTX was 9 mg/m2/day, escalated by 1 mg at each additional patient triplet. Two out of 6 patients experienced acute dose limiting toxicity (DLT) at the 12 mg/m2/day PTX dose level. PTX continuously greater than 10 nM, the estimated radiosensitizing condition, was achieved at the PTX dose level of 12 mg/m2/day. PTX at doses up to 11 mg/m2/day may be safely added to a conventional conformal RT course. Both DLT and the estimated radiosensitizing plasma exposure to PTX were encountered at the 12 mg/m(2)/day dose level.     

放化疗同步治疗肺癌脑转移38例临床分析

目的:观察长春瑞滨(NVB)、顺铂(DDP)加用卫萌(Vm-26)联合脑部放射治疗肺癌脑转移患者的疗效、不良反应和生存率。方法:Vm-260·1,静脉滴入,d1~d3;NVB25mg/m2,静脉滴入,d1、d8;DDP20mg/m2,静脉滴入,d1~d3;21d为1个周期,脑部放疗于第1个周期化疗开始后第5天开始,每次DT1·8~2·0Gy,1次/d,每周5次,1~2个病灶者全脑放疗DT40Gy后缩野追加至DT60Gy,≥3个转移灶者给予全颅放疗DT45Gy。结果:治疗后90%患者神经系统症状改善,对脑转移灶的客观有效率为71·1%(27/38),对肺原发灶的有效率为42·1%(16/38),主要不良反应为骨髓抑制和脱发,中位生存期11·01个月,1年生存率39·5%(15/38)。结论:同步放、化疗治疗肺癌脑转移患者有效率和生存率均较高,且患者耐受性好。肿瘤防治杂志,2005,12(19):1502-1504     

后程加速超分割放射治疗中晚期肺鳞癌的临床研究后程加速超分割放射治疗中晚期肺鳞癌的临床研究

目的 评价后程加速超分割放射治疗肺鳞癌的放射反应、并发症、近期疗效和远期疗效。方法 66例中晚期肺鳞癌随机均分至2个组。常规分割放射治疗（CF）组：2.0Gy/次,1次/d,5d/周。大野照至44Gy（分22次,4.4周完成）后缩野照射临床肿瘤区,总剂量达66～70Gy,总疗程为6.6～7.0周;后程加速超分割放射治疗（LCAF）组：前2/3疗程放射治疗方法同常规放射治疗组,缩野后加速超分割照射,1.5Gy/次,2次/d ,间隔6h;照射8～9个治疗日,总剂量68～71Gy,总疗程6.0～6.2周。照射野设计及放射线类型2个组均相同。结果 （1）疗效：完全缓解（CR）率和总有效（CR PR）率LCAF组分别为21.2%和87.8%,CF组分别为9.1%和63.6% ,2个组总有效率差异有显著性意义（X^2=5.280,P=0.022）。1、2年生存率和局部控制率LCAF组分别为75.7%、61.5%和69.7%、46.2%,CF组分别为57.6%、28.6%、和51.5%、21.4%,2个组差异有显著性意义（ X^2=4.476,P=0.037和X^2=4.087,P=0.043）。（2）放射性食管炎：LCAF组为81.8%,CF组为54.5%(X^2=5.657,P=0.018）。（3）2个组放射性气管炎、肺炎及肺纤维化均无差异。结论 后程加速超分割放射治疗肺鳞癌,患者均能耐受,近期疗效和1、2年生存率及局部控制率明显优于常规放射治疗,有望获得较好的远期疗效。     

COAPC方案联合脑部放射治疗非小细胞肺癌脑转移

背景与目的：放射治疗具有治疗脑转移癌的主要手段。而到目前为止化疗与放疗联合治疗脑转移癌的研究较少,本研究旨在观察COAPC方案化疗与脑部放射同时治疗非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)脑转移患者疗效,不良反应及生存率。方法：45例NSCLC脑转移患者接受COAPC方案化疗,环磷酰胺0．3g/m^2第1天静推,长春新碱1．4mg/m^2第1天静推,阿霉素50mg/m^2第1天静推,顺铂20mg/m^2第1－5天静滴,司莫司汀80mg/m2第1天口服,每3－4周为1疗程,脑部放射治疗于化疗第1疗程的第6天开始,每次2Gy,每天1次,每周5天,脑转移灶1－3个者,全脑放疗40Gy后,缩野放疗至总量60Gy,脑转移灶＞3个者,全脑放疗至总量40Gy.结果：治疗后80％患者神经系统症状改善,对脑转移灶的客观有效率为64．4％,对肺原发灶的有效率为40％,治疗的主要不良反应为骨髓抑制(Ⅲ-Ⅳ度占35％）,中位生存期10个月,1年生存率44．1％,5年生存率6．7％,单纯脑转移患者的中位生存期14个月,高于多发远处转移患者的9个月（P＝0．012）。结论：化疗联合脑部放射治疗NSCLC脑转移患者有效率与生存率较高,且患者耐受性较好。     

Alternating chemotherapy and accelerated split-course irradiation in locally advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with locally advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), which is usually unresectable, is very poor, and patient survival rarely reaches 1 year. However, prolonged survival correlated with objective responses has been observed among patients with intrathoracic disease treated with a combination of cytotoxic drugs and local irradiation despite the lack of consensus regarding the schedule of such combined therapy. From October 1989 to November 1993, a Phase II study was conducted to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of alternating chemotherapy and accelerated split-course radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced NSCLC. METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC entered this study. The treatment was composed of 3 cycles of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy at 4-week intervals. Chemotherapy with cisplatin (30 mg/m2/day) and etoposide (100 mg/m2/day) was delivered intravenously on Days 1, 2, and 3, followed by radiotherapy on Days 4-8. A course of radiotherapy consisted of 1.5 gray (Gy) per fraction twice a day (3 Gy per day) for 5 consecutive days, for a total dose of 15 Gy. Response was assessed after 3 courses, for a total irradiation dose of 45 Gy. In cases of objective antitumoral response with operable tumor, surgery was performed. A fourth course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, for a total dose up to 60 Gy in 12 weeks, was administered to all patients. Two additional courses of chemotherapy were given, for a total of six. RESULTS: Of the 63 patients, 62 were evaluable for response. Six had a complete remission and 36 a partial response, resulting in an overall response rate of 67.7%. Nine patients underwent surgery (pneumonectomy for seven patients and lobectomy for two patients), and the complete disappearance of any residual tumor was documented histologically in four. Of the 290 chemotherapy courses delivered, there were 31 of Grade 3-4 toxicity, mainly leukopenia and vomiting. The median times of freedom from disease progression and overall survival were 8 months (confidence interval [CI], 7-9.5) and 14 months (CI, 10-22), respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates of the 62 patients were 54%, 35%, and 21%, respectively. Patients who responded had a significantly longer median survival (16 months) than nonresponders (7 months) (P = 0.02). However, there was no difference in the survival of resected and nonresected patients. CONCLUSIONS: This treatment schedule resulted in a high response rate with prolonged survival. However, the toxicity of this approach was not negligible, even though it did not preclude this strategy. This combined modality must be compared with other combinations of alternating or sequential chemoradiotherapy.     

Chemotherapy with low doses of radiation followed by definitive radiotherapy for advanced unresectable carcinoma of the head and neck

Thirty-six patients with advanced unresectable carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with a combination of three courses of chemotherapy and low doses of radiation, followed after 3 weeks by definitive irradiation. Each course was repeated every 3 weeks with the following sequence. Cisplatin (20 mg/m2) was given in a 20-minute infusion, followed by a 2-hour infusion of 5-fluorouracil (400mg/m2), on days 1,2,5, and 6. Low doses of radiation were given on days 3 and 4, followed by a 2-hour infusion of 5-fluorouracil (400 mg/m2) with a dose of 3 Gy on the target volume. For definitive irradiation, a total dose of 60 Gy was delivered in 30 fractions within 6 weeks. The complete response rate reached 30%, and the partial response rate was 30%. With a median follow-up of 11 months, median overall survival was 10 months; median survival was 21 months for patients with complete response, 9 months for patients with partial response, and 6 months for those with no response (P=.02).     

Phase I trial of dose-escalated cisplatin with concomitant cetuximab and hyperfractionated-accelerated radiotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BackgroundCetuximab is active in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), enhancing both radiotherapy and chemotherapy effects. This phase I study was designed to investigate the safety and tolerability of combining weekly cisplatin treatment with cetuximab and hyperfractionated-accelerated radiotherapy (HART) for locally advanced SCCHN.Patients and methodsPatients with unresectable stage III or IVA/B SCCHN were treated with cetuximab, 400 mg/m² initial dose on day -7 of HART, followed by 250 mg/m² weekly during the administration of HART, which started with 2.0 Gy/day (5 days/week) for 3 weeks followed by 1.4 Gy/twice-daily (Monday to Friday) for another 3 weeks, resulting in a total dose of 70.6 Gy. Cisplatin was administered weekly starting on the first day of radiotherapy until week 6. Cisplatin was dose escalated of four dose levels from 20 to 40 mg/m² using a classical 3 + 3 dose escalation algorithm.ResultsEighteen patients were enrolled. Sixteen patients were eligible for toxicity, and 15 for response. No maximum tolerated dose was reached for cisplatin. One of six patients of dose level 4 had grade 4 neutropenia. This patient died 1 week after the end of the study treatment. The most common types of grade 3+ adverse events were mucositis (9 of 16 patients), in-field dermatitis (6 of 16 patients) and neutropenia (4 of 16 patients). Cetuximab-related hypersensitivity was observed in 1 out of 18 patients. Six weeks after the end of the study treatment, 5 complete responses, 8 partial responses and 1 progressive disease (at distant sites) were documented in a total of 15 patients (objective response rate 87%).ConclusionsThe combination of cisplatin with cetuximab and HART is active, well tolerated and merits additional investigation. The recommended weekly dose of cisplatin for phase II studies is 40 mg/m².     

A case of advanced upper gingival carcinoma responding completely to concurrent chemoradiotherapy with S-1

We report a case of advanced upper gingival carcinoma with a contralateral metastatic lymph node invading the maxillary sinus (T4aN2cM0). An 83-year-old man was treated concurrently with chemoradiotherapy and S-1. S-1 (80 mg/body/day) was administered for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period as one course. Radiation therapy involved a total of 60 Gy (2 Gy/day; 5 days/week). There were side effects of mild leucopenia and a grade 2 stomatitis. After the completion of 2 courses and radiation therapy, the primary tumor disappeared, and the patient achieved a pathologically complete response. The metastatic lymph node also completely disappeared. S-1 was then administered in the same regimen for 1 year. Neither local recurrence nor distant metastasis has been detected 2 years after the completion of the concurrent chemoradiotherapy with S-1.