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Induction chemotherapy with carboplatin and taxol followed by radiotherapy and concurrent weekly carboplatin + taxol in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

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Abstract

Purpose

Aim of this study was the clinical evaluation of carboplatin–taxol combination in a neoadjuvant and concomitant setting with conventional radiotherapy in loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (A-NPC).

Methods

Thirty patients were treated with three cycles of carboplatin (AUC6) plus taxol (175 mg/m2) on day 1 every 3 weeks, followed by weekly carboplatin (AUC1) plus Taxol (60 mg/m2) and concomitant radiotherapy (70 Gy).

Results

We observed the objective complete response rates of 33% (after chemotherapy) and 87% (after chemo-radiotherapy). Treatment tolerability and toxicity were controllable. Three- and five-year progression-free survival were 80 and 75%, respectively, and 3- and 5-year overall survival were 85 and 80% (follow-up 49.5 months). Five-year loco-regional control was 90.3%, and five-year distant metastases–free survival was 85%.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with such protocol represents a feasible, efficient treatment for patients with A-NPC, ensuring excellent loco-regional disease control and overall survival with low incidence of distant metastases.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors disclose any financial and personal relationships with people or organisations that could influence their work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, Turin, Italy

    Mario Airoldi & Fulvia Pedani

  2. Radiation Therapy Division, Cancer Institute, Candiolo, Turin, Italy

    Pietro Gabriele

  3. Radiation Therapy Division, San Giovanni Antica Sede Hospital, Turin, Italy

    Anna Maria Gabriele

  4. 1st ENT Division, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Turin, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, Via Genova, 3, 10126, Turin, Italy

    Massimiliano Garzaro, Luca Raimondo, Giancarlo Pecorari & Carlo Giordano

  5. ENT Department, Giovanni Bosco Hospital, Turin, Italy

    Fabio Beatrice

Authors
  1. Mario Airoldi
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  2. Pietro Gabriele
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  3. Anna Maria Gabriele
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  4. Massimiliano Garzaro
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  5. Luca Raimondo
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  6. Fulvia Pedani
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  7. Fabio Beatrice
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  8. Giancarlo Pecorari
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  9. Carlo Giordano
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Massimiliano Garzaro.

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Airoldi, M., Gabriele, P., Gabriele, A.M. et al. Induction chemotherapy with carboplatin and taxol followed by radiotherapy and concurrent weekly carboplatin + taxol in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 67, 1027–1034 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-010-1399-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-010-1399-5

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