BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEPF regimen is the standard chemotherapy for advanced head and neck cancers including nasopharyngeal cancer. Recently PF has been found to enhance the tumor control by addition of Taxotere. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of TPF neoadjuvant regimen (taxotere, cisplatin (DDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)) followed by radical radiotherapy in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSBetween December 2006 and May 2008, 41 patients with newly diagnosed UICC stage III or IV advanced nasopharyngeal cancer were enrolled. There were 29 male and 12 female patients, with a median age of 47 years (range, 29-60 years), and ECOG performance status < or = 2. The initial dose was taxotere 40 mg/m(2) d1, DDP 40 mg/m(2) d1, and 5-FU 400 mg/m(2) d1-5. The treatment was repeated every 3 weeks for two cycles. Each dose of taxotere and DDP was increased by 5 mg/m(2) and 5-FU by 50 mg/m(2), respectively. The dose was escalated after six patients completed two cycles at the initial dose and DLT was assessed. Radiotherapy was started from the 5th week, with 68-72 Gy/34-36 fractions delivered to the nasopharynx and 60-66 Gy/30-33 fractions to the node-positive area.

RESULTSForty patients (79 cycles) were evaluated for toxicity and efficacy of the therapy. No DLT occurred at the dose levels 1-4. At dose level 5, three of six patients experienced DLT including grade III/IV neutropenia lasting more than 1 week. Two of them also had grade III mucositis, leading to the interruption of radiotherapy for more than 1 week. Three more new patients were retreated with the same dose (at dose level 6) under the G-CSF support, and no DLT occurred. Dose escalation continued to level 7, and DLT was found in all of the four patients, including three grade IV neutropenia, one of them had fever and pneumonitis; three grade III diarrhea; and one grade III mucositis lasting 10 days. Dose escalation was stopped and three more new patients were treated again at dose level 5 and no DLT was found. Other severe toxicities included grade III anemia (1 patients), grade III vomiting (4 patients), and grade III weight loss (9 patients). No severe hepatic and renal toxicities were found.

CONCLUSIONTPF neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a safe and effective regimen in the treatment of advanced NPC, with recommended doses of taxotere 60 mg/m(2) d1, DDP 60 mg/m(2) d1, and 5-FU 600 mg/m(2) d1-5.