Cetuximab-Carboplatin-5-Fluorouracil Regimen in Elderly Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous-Cell Carcinoma: A French Retrospective Survey

BACKGROUND: The cetuximab plus platinum-based chemotherapy regimen is a standard of care in the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The feasibility in the elderly population is currently unknown. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in order to assess the efficacy and safety of the cetuximab plus platinum-based chemotherapy regimen in patients >65 years with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. We performed a retrospective review of all medical records from recurrent or metastatic HNSCC patients >65 years treated with the cetuximab plus platinum-based chemotherapy regimen between September 2008 and December 2013 in our institution (Centre Paul Strauss, Strasbourg, France). RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were identified. Carboplatin in combination with 5-fluorouracil (FU) was the only cetuximab-associated chemotherapy regimen used for treating elderly patients. The median progression-free survival was 4 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9-4.7), and the median overall survival was 9.1 months (95% CI: 6.5-13.1). Grade 3 or 4 toxicity adverse events occurred in 52% (n = 31) of the patients (mostly hematologic toxicities and infections). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study suggests that the cetuximab plus carboplatin-5FU chemotherapy is an effective treatment option for elderly patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC.