Phase II Study of Combination Cisplatin and Adriamycin in Recurrent Carcinoma
of the Nasopharynx
W YEO, TWT LEUNG, ATC CHAN, KW CHIU, P YU, T MOK, PJ JOHNSON DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, SHATIN, HONG KONG, CHINA
Abstract
Aims: To ascertain the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin in combination with adriamycin for patients with metastatic and/or locoregional recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Patients and Methods: A phase II trial combining cisplatin and adriamycin was conducted in 15 patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Each cycle consisted of cisplatin 100 mg/m 2 intravenously with 24-hour hydration on day 1, and adriamycin 30 mg/m 2 /day intravenous bolus injection on days 1 and 2. The cycles were repeated every 3 weeks. Patients received a median number of 3 cycles of chemotherapy (range, 1 to 6).
Results: Toxicity included grade 3 to 4 leukopenia (11 patients, 73%) and grade 3 to 4 thrombocytopenia (2 patients, 13%). Six patients (40%) developed febrile neutrospenic episodes. Non-haematological toxicities were infrequent. The overall response rate was 20% (3/15), with 1 complete response (7%) and 2 partial responses (13%).
Conclusion: Without haematological support, the toxicities make this regimen impossible to be used in routine practice.
Key Words: Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Nasopharyngeal neoplasms, Neoplasm metastasis, Neoplasm recurrence, local
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