Clinical feasibility of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and cetuximab (PCE therapy) prior to definitive therapy in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: a preliminary retrospective study

Objective Evidence regarding paclitaxel, carboplatin, and cetuximab (PCE) administered as induction chemotherapy (ICT) prior to definitive therapy in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains limited. This study aimed to describe the feasibility and tolerability of PCE administered prior to definitive therapy in patients with OSCC. Methods Forty-three patients who underwent PCE prior to definitive therapy for OSCC were included. Data was retrospectively analyzed using medical records. Radiologic response was assessed according to RECIST criteria and overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR). Safety and relationships between radiologic response and histological treatment effect were descriptively summarized. Results The radiologic response showed an ORR of 83%, a DCR of 95%. In the 32 patients underwent surgical treatment, downstaging was observed in 25 of 32 (78%) patients for the T factor, and 19 of 24 (79%) patients for the N factor. Recurrence was observed in four patients. In adverse events, grade 3/4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia occurred in 21 (49%) and 3 (7%) patients, respectively. No delay in the initiation of definitive therapy because of adverse events was noted. Conclusions PCE administered as ICT prior to definitive therapy was associated with a high rate of radiologic response and frequent tumor downstaging among patients who subsequently underwent surgery. Although substantial hematologic toxicity, including frequent grade 3/4 neutropenia, was observed, treatment-related delays to definitive therapy were not observed, suggesting that this approach is feasible in patients with OSCC when appropriate toxicity management is applied.