The DAHANCA 32 study: Electrochemotherapy for recurrent mucosal head and neck cancer

TY - JOUR

T1 - The DAHANCA 32 study

T2 - Electrochemotherapy for recurrent mucosal head and neck cancer

AU - Plaschke, Christina Caroline

AU - Johannesen, Helle Hjorth

AU - Hansen, Rasmus Hvass

AU - Hendel, Helle Westergren

AU - Kiss, Katalin

AU - Gehl, Julie

AU - Wessel, Irene

PY - 2019/2

Y1 - 2019/2

N2 - Background: Electrochemotherapy is an established treatment for cutaneous tumors. This study aimed at determining efficacy of electrochemotherapy in recurrent head and neck cancer. Methods: Phase II clinical trial in patients with recurrent head and neck carcinomas with no curative treatment options. Electrochemotherapy was performed under general anesthesia. Primary endpoint was tumor response (CT scanning) evaluated at week 8. Secondary endpoints included biopsy results, MRI and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography scanning, safety, toxicity, pain score, and quality-of-life questionnaires. Results: Of 26 patients treated, 5 (19%) achieved complete response, 10 (39%) partial response, resulting in an objective response of 58%. Two responders remain without recurrence. No serious adverse events occurred during treatment. Four events occurred posttreatment: one bleeding episode, two episodes with mucosal swelling, and one patient died due to disease progression. Conclusion: Electrochemotherapy is efficient against local recurrence of head and neck cancer with an overall response rate of 58%.

AB - Background: Electrochemotherapy is an established treatment for cutaneous tumors. This study aimed at determining efficacy of electrochemotherapy in recurrent head and neck cancer. Methods: Phase II clinical trial in patients with recurrent head and neck carcinomas with no curative treatment options. Electrochemotherapy was performed under general anesthesia. Primary endpoint was tumor response (CT scanning) evaluated at week 8. Secondary endpoints included biopsy results, MRI and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography scanning, safety, toxicity, pain score, and quality-of-life questionnaires. Results: Of 26 patients treated, 5 (19%) achieved complete response, 10 (39%) partial response, resulting in an objective response of 58%. Two responders remain without recurrence. No serious adverse events occurred during treatment. Four events occurred posttreatment: one bleeding episode, two episodes with mucosal swelling, and one patient died due to disease progression. Conclusion: Electrochemotherapy is efficient against local recurrence of head and neck cancer with an overall response rate of 58%.

KW - bleomycin

KW - electrochemotherapy

KW - electroporation

KW - head and neck cancer

KW - quality-of-life

U2 - 10.1002/hed.25454

DO - 10.1002/hed.25454

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30552847

AN - SCOPUS:85058397536

SN - 1043-3074

VL - 41

SP - 329

EP - 339

JO - Head and Neck

JF - Head and Neck

IS - 2

ER -