The most important study results concerning nonsurgical primary treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer. Highlights of the ASCO Meeting 2015

At the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2015, results of current trials dealing with nonsurgical primary treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer were presented. Regarding concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT), studies focused on the dosage and sequence of cisplatin administration are currently particularly featured. Amongst these, a study on dosage reduction in human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive patients was presented. Other investigations addressed substances as alternatives for cisplatin, particularly carboplatin and targeted therapeutic agents. The comparison of concomitant and sequential CRT (induction chemotherapy (ICT) prior to CRT) is still one of the main topics. In addition, studies modifying the ICT regimen or combining subsequent radiotherapy (RT) with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab were presented. A selection of the most important trials are summarized in this article.