The Efficacy and Safety Analysis of Carbopratin and Paclitaxel Therapy for Patients with Inoperable, Recurrent or Refractory Adenocarcinoma of the Head and Neck

Background Salivary gland cancers are rare neoplasms accounting for Patients and methods From May 2004 to May 2011, 29 patients with adenocarcinoma of the head and neck were treated with CBDCA and PAC therapy on the first line in our institution. This method was delivered for every 3 weeks, CBDCA (AUC = 6 on d1) and PAC (200 mg/m2 on d1). We analyzed retrospectively. Results Median follow-up was 17.3 months, baseline patients characteristics included a median age of 60 years (range; 45–73 years), 23 men and 6 women. The parotid gland was more frequently involved (n = 18) than minor (n = 1) or submandibular (n = 10) glands. Median progression-free survival, event-free survival, and overall survival were 9.1, 8.6 and 52.2 months, respectively. Progression disease was seen in 26 out of 29 patients (90%). Complete response was seen in 2 out of 29 patients (7%). These two patients have been alive and progression-free for 29 and 25 months. Grade 3/4 hematological adverse events were leukopenia (45%), neutropenia (55%), anemia (24%), and thrombocytopenia (35%), respectively. No treatment-related deaths were observed. Conclusions CBDCA and PAC therapy was effective and safety regimen for patients with inoperable, recurrent, or refractory adenocarcinoma of the head and neck. We are now investigating what factors indicate good or prognosis in this regimen. There is a need for a determined, coordinated effort to conduct high-quality clinical trials in patients with these rare cancers.