Induction Therapy With Cisplatin, 5-Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Paclitaxel in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the toxicities and response rate of a modified TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) protocol in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (ECOG performance status ≤1).

Patients And Methods: Induction treatment consisted of cisplatin 25 mg/m/day as a 90 min infusion for three consecutive days, leucovorin 20 mg/m/day as a bolus for four consecutive days, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 370 mg/m/day as a bolus for four consecutive days, and paclitaxel 60 mg/m as a 1-h infusion on Days 1, 8, and 15, repeated every 3-4 weeks (twelve cycles to 6 patients).

Results: The main toxicities were grade 1 neuropathy, mucositis, and fatigue.

Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) improves quality of life in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Objective: Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a native Amazon plant that exhibits anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties. We wanted to assess its activity for symptom management of terminal cancer patients.

Methods: This prospective phase II study assessed the effects of a 100-mg dose of a dry extract of U.