Phase 3 trial of docetaxel as radiosensitizer in cisplatin-ineligible patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

There is a lack of information on systemic therapeutic options in cisplatin-ineligible patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC) undergoing chemoradiation. A phase 3 trial at Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai, India) randomized cisplatin-ineligible LAHNSCC patients to radiation plus concurrent docetaxel or radiation alone. Addition of docetaxel to radiation improved disease-free survival, local control, and overall survival without affecting the quality of life of the patients. This study provided the first evidence-based data for addition of concurrent chemotheray to radiation in cisplatin-ineligible LAHNSCC patients.