The evidence on effectiveness of weekly vs triweekly cisplatin concurrent with radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:This study aims to synthesize the current available evidences on the effectiveness of weekly vs triweekly cisplatin concurrent with radiotherapy in the primary and adjuvant treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Methods:A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature were undertaken to assess the effectiveness of weekly vs triweekly schedule in primary and adjuvant treatment for HNSCC with adverse risk features. Search of relevant articles from electronic database from 2000 to March 2016 and appraisal of studies were done.Results:Only one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and six retrospective studies were included in this review. The RCT showed less severe mucositis (75 vs 38.5%, p = 0.012) and more patients receiving at least 200 mg/m2 (62.5% vs 88.5%, p = 0.047) of cisplatin in triweekly arm. There was no difference in 1-year progression-free survival (60% vs 71.1%, p = 0.806) and 1-year overall survival (OS) (71.6 vs 79.3%, p = 0.978) between the week...