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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · South Asian J Cancer 2019; 08(01): 52-56
DOI: 10.4103/sajc.sajc_76_18
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Head and Neck Cancers

Safety and efficacy of nimotuzumab with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in unresectable locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck: An Indian rural hospital experience

Shyamji Rawat
Department of Radiation Oncology, NSCB Medical College and Government Hospital, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
,
Hemu Tandan
Department of Radiation Oncology, NSCB Medical College and Government Hospital, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
,
Sanandan Patel
Department of Radiation Oncology, NSCB Medical College and Government Hospital, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
,
Sameer Chaudhari
Department of Radiation Oncology, NSCB Medical College and Government Hospital, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
› Author Affiliations Financial support and sponsorship: Nil.
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Abstract

Context: Nimotuzumab is the only anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody which can be safely added to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) to improve efficacy in the management of unresectable, locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (LA-SCCHN). However, the evidence available on this is limited. Aims: We retrospectively investigated efficacy and safety of nimotuzumab when combined with chemoradiation for LA-SCCHN. Settings and Design: Hospital records of 39 patients from January 2012 to December 2016 diagnosed with locally advanced (Stage III-IVb), unresectable SCCHN, and treated with concurrent CRT with weekly nimotuzumab were reviewed retrospectively after fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Subjects and Methods: Tumor response was calculated as per response evaluation criteria in solid tumors criteria 1.1. Association of tumor response with independent variables was assessed. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated. All patients were assessed for toxicity as per common terminology criteria for adverse events Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v 4.0 (U.S. Department of health and human services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute). Results: At 6 months after completion of treatment, objective response rate was 97.44% with 26 (66.67%) patients attaining Complete response (CR), 12 (30.77%) patients with Partial response (PR), and one patient (2.56%) had stable disease. Subgroup analysis did not show a significant association of tumor response with independent factors. OS at 1 and 2-year was 100% and 72.9%, while PFS at 1 and 2-year was 87% and 54.40%. The incidence of Grade I, II, III, and IV toxicity was 30%, 18.18%, 41.82%, and 10%, respectively. No grade V toxicity was observed. Common adverse events observed were mucositis (33.64%), skin reaction (24.55%), neutropenia (20.91%), vomiting (18.18%), and diarrhea (2.73%). Conclusions: Nimotuzumab is an efficacious and safe option when added to concurrent CRT in unresectable, LA-SCCHN.

Key words

Advanced - antibodies - carcinoma - head and neck neoplasms - inoperable - Monoclonal - Nimotuzumab - Overall survival - squamous cell - therapy


Publication History

Article published online:
21 December 2020

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