Docetaxel and cisplatin induction chemotherapy with or without fluorouracil in locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A real-world data study.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of locoregionally advanced patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with Induction Therapy (ICT).

Methods: Toxicity, response rate, and Event-Free Survival (EFS) and Overall Survival (OS) were evaluated in patients treated with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-Fluorouracil (TPF) or docetaxel and Cisplatin (TP).

Results: ICT regimens did not alter response to ICT, and patients' EFS and OS. Cox multivariate analysis identified stable or progressive disease (HR = 5.56) and interval between cycles ≥28 days (HR = 2.79) as predictors of lower EFS, and ECOG ≥ 1 (HR = 3.42), stable or progressive disease (HR = 4.67), and interval between cycles ≥28 days (HR = 2.73) as predictors of lower OS.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate TP as a good treatment option for locoregionally advanced HNSCC, especially in socioeconomically limited settings.