Multicenter Retrospective Study of Weekly Cetuximab Plus Paclitaxel for Recurrent or Metastatic Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background/Aim: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of the weekly cetuximab plus paclitaxel (wCmab-PTX) regimen with those of the EXTREME regimen in patients with recurrent or metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma (R/M OSCC). Patients and Methods: This multicenter retrospective study involved a chart review of the clinical records of R/M OSCC patients treated with wCmabPTX in each institution between January 2013 and December 2017. Data were collected, and the efficacy, safety, and treatment outcomes were analyzed. Results: The best overall response and disease control rates were 48.4% and 61.3%, respectively. The median PFS and OS were 6 and 13 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in prognosis with or without previous platinum administration. The grade 3-4 adverse events were leukopenia (16.1%), followed by acne like rash (12.9%), and neutropenia (9.7%). All adverse events, excluding more than grade 3 infusion reactions, were tolerable and manageable. Conclusion: wCmab-PTX may be considered as a treatment option for R/M patients with OSCC that is refractory to platinum-based chemotherapy, or progressive disease after receiving chemotherapy.

Automated summary

The study suggests that the weekly cetuximab plus paclitaxel regimen may be a treatment option for patients with recurrent or metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma that is refractory to platinum-based chemotherapy or progressive disease after chemotherapy. Adverse events were tolerable and manageable, with overall efficacy being relatively promising.