Trio Gets Better Results for Head & Neck Cancer Patients
New studies published in the October 25, 2007, edition of the New England Journal of Medicine report significantly higher survival rates for head and neck cancer patients who received a three-drug chemotherapy regimen prior to radiation treatments rather than the standard two-drug therapy.
The addition of docetaxel to the cisplatin and fluorouracil combination typically administered increased survival rates in both studies and more than doubled the average overall survival in one of the groups.
Both studies, one based in the U.S. and the other in Europe, were comprised of patients in stage III or IV of the disease. The U.S. trial included 501 patients with resectable and unresectable head and neck tumors while the European study contained 358 patients, all with inoperable tumors.
In addition to better survival rates, both groups experienced slightly fewer toxic side effects because oncologists administered less fluorouracil once docetaxel was added. Including the three-drug induction chemotherapy prior to chemoradiotherapy added about three months to the treatment process.
Both studies received funding support from the docetaxel’s manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY).
More research is needed before experts can determine whether the induction therapy plus chemoradiotherapy (chemotherapy and radiation combined) is more effective than chemoradiotherapy done alone. Still, researchers are enthusiastic about the results of the research to date. As the lead author of the US study summed it up,
“There was a 30 percent reduction in mortality with less toxicity. This is a wonderful step forward for patients.”
Dr Marshall R. Posner
Medical Director of the Head and Neck Oncology Program
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Source: HealthDay
Related Links: CNNMoney.com; oralcancerfoundation.org
Related Podcast: Red Door Communications Podcast from the Mouth Cancer Foundation
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