Evaluation of a combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin for patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas

: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combination chemotherapy with docetaxel (TXT) and nedaplatin (CDGP) for patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas. Eight patients were enrolled in this study (4 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 61.7 years). TXT and CDGP were administered at a dose of 60 mg/m(2) and 70 mg/m(2) by drip infusion for 120 minutes, respectively. Three patients received one more administration 4 weeks after the first one. The locoregional response was evaluated 4 weeks after the final administration of TXT and CDGP. As a result, the locoregional response rate after 1 course was 62.5% including 25.0% of complete response (CR). The response rate after 2 courses was 100.0% with 66.7% of CR. According to Oboshi and Shimosato's classification, histological evaluation of surgical specimens revealed that four cases were Grade IIa, two cases Grade IIb, and two cases Grade IV. The severe adverse events were neutropenia and leukopenia, which were effectively managed with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). No other severe side effects were recognized. The present study suggested that the combination chemotherapy with TXT and CDGP would be an effective and safe regimen in neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for oral squamous cell carcinomas.