ISSN:
1569-8041
Keywords:
head and neck cancer
;
phase II trial
;
raltitrexed
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background:Raltitrexed (`Tomudex') is a folate based inhibitorof thymidylate synthase which has been registered in Europe and Australia forthe treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. In a European phase I trial ofraltitrexed anti-tumour activity was seen in two patients with head and neckcancer, prompting the current study. Patients and methods:From November 1996 to December 1998, 24patients with metastatic or recurrent squamous-cell carcinoma of the head andneck from 7 Australian centres received raltitrexed, 3 mg/m2 givenintravenously over 15 minutes every 3 weeks, for a maximum of 6 cycles.Patients were required to be chemotherapy naïve and have measurabledisease, age 〉18 years, WHO performance status initially ≤2, nosignificant intercurrent illness or organ dysfunction and a life expectancy〉12 weeks. Results:Twenty-two men and two women, median age 65 years, medianperformance status 1 were enrolled. Fifteen patients (63%) had receivedboth prior surgery and radiotherapy. In 15 patients (63%) there wasrecurrent locoregional disease only. Twelve patients (50%) received onecycle of treatment with only four patients (17%) receiving four or morecycles of treatment. No patient achieved a complete or partial response,although 5 patients experienced stable disease which lasted a median of 188days (range 61–436). The median survival for the whole group was 101days (range 20–436). Raltitrexed was generally well tolerated withminimal anti-proliferative toxicity. Conclusions:Single-agent raltitrexed does not demonstratesignificant anti-tumour response rates in patients with predominantly locallyrecurrent head and neck cancer.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008369629944
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