[Short-term efficacy of cetuximab combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy on head and neck cancer: a report of 11 cases].

Background and objective: Cetuximab combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy has been used to treat head and neck cancer in recent years, but few reports are available in China now. This study was to summarize our experiences in treating patients with head and neck cancer cetuximab.

Methods: From October 1st, 2005 to September 30th, 2008, six with patients head and neck cancer were treated using cetuximab combined with radiotherapy and five were treated using cetuximab combined with chemotherapy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The short-term efficacy and safety were analyzed.

Results: A total of 82 cycles of cetuximab treatment, with a median of seven cycles, were administered safely. There was no treatment-associated death and no cetuximab-associated discontinuation. In cetuximab combined with radiotherapy group, four patients achieved complete response (CR) and two achieved partial response (PR); all CR patients had hadacne-like rash (three cases were > or = grade III), only one PR patient had grade I rash; five patients had skin reaction in the irradiation field (four cases of skin reaction were > or = grade III); hematological toxicity was slight excepted one case of grade IV. In cetuximab combined chemotherapy group, two patients achieved PR, two had stable disease (SD) and one had progressed disease (PD); the of acne-like rash was low, and three patients experienced bone marrow depression above grade III.

Conclusion: Cetuximab combined with either radiotherapy or chemotherapy are good options for suitable patients with head and neck cancer.