Cetuximab, cisplatin and amifostine during accelerated radiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer

14582 Background: This study reports on the tolerance and efficacy of cetuximab anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody administration in combination with accelerated cisplatin radio-chemotherapy and cytoprotection with amifostine in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LA-HNC). Methods: Eligible patients had a LA-HNC of squamous histology and a good performance status (0–1). Nineteen patients with LA-HNC (5 treated with sub-optimal surgery) were recruited in a prospective trial of accelerated concomitant boost radiotherapy (2.7 Gy/day to a total dose of 59.4 Gy in 4.5 weeks, biological equivalent dose to 70 Gy) combined with weekly cisplatin (30 mg/m2) and cetuximab (400 mg/m2 day 1 and 250 mg/m2 weekly thereafter). Patients received cytoportection with amifostine (1000 mg/day subcutaneously). Primary endpoints were toxicities assessed by common toxicity criteria, delay in radiotherapy administration and response. Results: The regimen had an acceptable toxicity with mucositis grade 2 and 3 noted in...