Randomized trial on acute toxicities of weekly vs three‐weekly cisplatin‐based chemoradiation in head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND: The current first‐line treatment of locally advanced head and neck carcinoma (LAHNC) is concurrent chemoradiation with three‐weekly cisplatin 100 mg/m(2). However, prescribing cisplatin at this dose increases the treatment toxicity, which may compromise the treatment results. An alternative schedule is weekly 40 mg/m(2) cisplatin. AIM: To compare the acute hematologic and renal toxicities of these two regimens. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial included 77 LAHNC patients who were allocated to a high dose (100 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks) or low dose (40 mg/m(2) weekly) cisplatin group concurrent with radiotherapy. Hematologic and renal indices were measured weekly during chemoradiation. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 55.3 years. Overall, 71.4% of patients were treated in a definitive setting. The incidence of severe hematologic events was not significantly different. However, the average estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly greater in the three‐weekly group (67.85 vs. 58.57% mL/min per 1.73 m(2); P‐value = .02). Cumulative cisplatin dose of ≥240 mg/m(2) was significantly greater in the weekly group. Totally, treatment breaks occurred in 40.3% of patients due to treatment toxicity. Treatment interruption was primarily due to neutropenia in the three‐weekly and renal dysfunction and thrombocytopenia in the weekly group. CONCLUSIONS: Severe acute hematologic toxicities were comparable for three‐weekly and weekly groups. The decrease in eGFR through treatment was more significant with weekly cisplatin. Further follow‐up, however, is needed to confirm its impact on delayed renal function.