Multicenter phase II study of weekly docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 (TPS) induction chemotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the head and neck

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of weekly docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 (weekly TPS) as induction chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: A total of 35 patients with previously untreated, locally advanced HNSCC were enrolled. Seven patients (20%) were diagnosed with stage III HNSCC and 28 patients (80%) were diagnosed with stage IV. Induction treatment included 30 mg/m ² docetaxel on day 1 and 8, 60 mg/m ² cisplatin on day 1, and 70 mg/m ² S-1 on days 1 to 14. The regimen was repeated every 21 days. After three courses of induction chemotherapy, patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Results: Among the 35 patients, 30 (85.7%) completed induction chemotherapy. The response to induction chemotherapy was as follows: nine patients (25.7%) achieved a complete response (CR) and the overall response rate (ORR) was 85.7%. Grades 3-4 toxicity during induction therapy included neutropenia (28.5%), neutropenic fever (8.5%), and diarrhea (17.1%). After completion of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, the CR rate was 62.8% and the partial response (PR) was 22.8%. Estimates of progression-free and overall survival at 2 years were 73.2% and 79.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Weekly TPS is a promising regimen that is well-tolerated, causes minimal myelosuppression and is effective as an outpatient regimen for locally advanced HNSCC.