A phase II study of combination paclitaxel and carboplatin in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of combina tion paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy in patients with metastatic an d/or locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Patients with metastatic and/or locoregionally advanced NPC were treated with carboplatin calculated according to an AUC of 6 mg ml/min (based on Calvert formula) g iven as an intravenous (i.v.) bolus, followed by paclitaxel 135 mg/ml(2) gi ven as an i.v. infusion over 3 h with standard premedication. Cycles were g iven 3 weekly to a maximum of six. From January 1996 to November 1997, 27 p atients were entered and assessable for response and toxicity. A total of 1 22 cycles were given and the median number of cycles given was five. The ov erall response rate was 59% (16/27). There were 3 (11%) complete responses, 13 (48%) partial responses, 5 (19%) static disease and 6 (22%) progressive disease. Toxicity was mainly haematological including: grade 3/4 neutropen ia (39 cycles, 32%), grade 3/4 anaemia (nine cycles, 7%), grade 3/4 thrombo cytopenia (eight cycles, 7%). There were three episodes of neutropenic feve r (3%). Non-haematological toxicities were mild and infrequent. Paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy is active in NPC and has tolerable toxicity. Further study with dose escalation is required to assess its opt imal efficacy. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.